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Rehabilitation of Individuals with Limb Loss due to Trauma

  • Amputations: From Injury To Rehabilitation (R Zafonte, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

To provide a comprehensive overview of care and rehabilitation of those with traumatic limb loss, from preoperative to lifelong care.

Recent Findings

Comprehensive care including peer support and monitoring for the development of secondary conditions which compound disability is essential after traumatic amputation. Conditions that commonly develop after traumatic limb loss include heterotopic ossification, intact limb knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, and reduction in cardiopulmonary reserve.

Summary

Optimal care for people after traumatic limb loss requires a multidisciplinary team to provide perioperative and lifelong care. In addition to ensuring optimal rehabilitation based on the individual’s vocational and avocational goals, current function, concomitant injuries, and amputation level, their psychological recovery must not be overlooked. To optimize quality of life and independence, lifelong follow-up with a physiatrist is essential to care for complications and secondary conditions, as well as to promote an active lifestyle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Mary S. Keszler

  2. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5505 Hopkins Bayview Circle, B410, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Mary S. Keszler

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    David M. Crandell

  4. Division of Rehabilitation Care Services, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA

    David C. Morgenroth

  5. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    David C. Morgenroth

  6. Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB), Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research and Development, Seattle, WA, USA

    David C. Morgenroth

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  1. Mary S. Keszler
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  2. David M. Crandell
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  3. David C. Morgenroth
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Correspondence to Mary S. Keszler.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Amputations: From Injury To Rehabilitation

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Keszler, M.S., Crandell, D.M. & Morgenroth, D.C. Rehabilitation of Individuals with Limb Loss due to Trauma. Curr Trauma Rep 6, 96–104 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-020-00193-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-020-00193-8

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