[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/rehabilitation-after-amputation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/rehabilitation-after-amputation\/","headline":"Rehabilitation After Amputation","name":"Rehabilitation After Amputation","description":"There are several steps in the inpatient rehabilitation process. Learn more about UPMC's inpatient process and other offerings for a strong recovery.","datePublished":"2014-04-13","dateModified":"2023-07-13","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/person-with-prostetic-leg.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/person-with-prostetic-leg.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/rehabilitation-after-amputation\/","about":["Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":562,"keywords":["amputation","Dr. Michael Munin","inpatient rehabilitation","rehabilitation","UPMC Rehabiliation Institute"],"articleBody":"The average inpatient stay following an amputation is typically about one week. However, the entire rehabilitation and recovery process varies for each patient and can take much longer.During inpatient rehab, patients and their families have access to a fully staffed team of experts, including doctors, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists. Transitioning from inpatient rehab to life at home can be a challenging task for the patient and their family. The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute has a number of services available to ease in that transition.\u201cWe assess patients usually before surgery, or soon after surgery while they\u2019re recovering in the surgical ward,\u201d says Michael Munin, MD, medical director of UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at Montefiore. \u201cWe address things such as hip or knee contracture, or tightness, and ways to prevent that. We discuss the health of the leg, pain management. Our ultimate goal here is trying to restore pre-amputation function, or at least get them to the highest level of function possible.\u201d\u00a0The first step after inpatient rehabilitation is beginning outpatient rehabilitation. Outpatient rehab is similar to the care received during your stay; however, it can be done at a number of locations throughout Pittsburgh. The physical therapists at these locations will develop a care plan individualized to the needs of the patient. In addition to weekly appointments, patients are often given at-home exercises to supplement sessions with the physical therapist. Adhering to these plans is essential in the recovery process.In addition to working with a physical therapist, an occupational therapist can assist in acclimating to daily life. These specially trained therapists also can help patients regain their independence by learning to become safer and more efficient in everyday tasks.\u00a0\u201cFor lower limb amputation rehabilitation, we first get them to put weight on their prosthetic limb, then we start to build strength along the hip and knee joints as appropriate and work on range of motion,\u201d says Dr. Munin. \u201cAt that point, we try to normalize the walking pattern to get it as normal as possible without deviation or limps. For the successful patient, they can actually walk down the street, for example, with long pants and no one would even know they are wearing a prosthesis.\u201d\u00a0In addition to working with a physical therapist, an occupational therapist can assist in acclimating to daily life. These specially trained therapists also can help patients regain their independence by learning to become safer and more efficient in everyday tasks.For many, a key to recovery — in addition to physical and occupational therapy \u2013 is participation in support groups. Amp Up! is a monthly meeting for amputees that offers support and information outside of the hospital setting. In addition to Amp Up!, the Amputee Coalition of America and National Limb Loss Information Center (NLLIC) can be valuable resources.The expert team that patients have during their inpatient stay continues to monitor and supervise every step of the recovery process. In addition to overseeing patients’ recoveries, the doctors and support staff can:Help manage post amputation painPerform gait evaluationsDevelop protocols to correct abnormal walking patterns with the prosthesisMore information on the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and amputations can be found online at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute website or by calling 1-877-AT-REHAB (28-73422).Related ArticlesInpatient Rehab TechnologyEditor's Note: This article was originally published on April 13, 2014, and was last reviewed on July 13, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Rehabilitation After Amputation","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/04\/rehabilitation-after-amputation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]