Volume 18 · Issue 4 · May/June 2008 –
by Paddy Rossbach, RN, Former Amputee Coalition President & CEO, and Terrence P. Sheehan, MD –
Proper limb and skin care is essential to your health and mobility. Prosthetic sockets trap sweat and prevent air from circulating around your residual limb, which can create a virtual paradise for bacteria. Bacterial and fungal infections can lead to skin irritation, abrasions and eventually skin breakdown. Left unchecked, this could lead to infection and ulcerations, leaving you unable to use your prosthesis for an extended length of time.
How to Ride a Motorcycle With Parts Missing (on you, not the bike)
Volume 16 · Issue 3 · May/June 2006 –
by Jeffrey J. Cain, MD –
You’ve seen them cruising down a winding highway, heard the roar of pipes on the boulevard, dreamed of the thrill and freedom of a motorcycle, and wondered; “Can I still ride a motorcycle after my amputation?”
Congenital Limb Deficiencies and Acquired Amputations in Childhood
Volume 18 · Issue 1 · January/February 2006 –
by Douglas G. Smith, MD –
Limb loss is always devastating, both physically and emotionally. I’ve frequently told patients who have lost a limb or are facing the prospect of losing one, “You are going through something that no one should ever have to go through.”
The Pelvic Leveler An Alternative to a Sitting Socket
Volume 15 · Issue 1 · January/February 2005 –
by Christina Skoski, MD –
One of the most common complaints of new patients who have had an amputation through any part of the pelvis (known as hemipelvectomy or transpelvic amputations) is discomfort and difficulty in sitting upright. This is because they’ve lost the “sitting bone,” or ischium, which provides the bony structure or support on the amputated side. Constantly leaning to one side because of this missing support can cause low-back pain and may contribute to the development of functional scoliosis (an abnormally curved back) over time.
The Transfemoral Amputation Level, Part 2
Volume 14 · Issue 3 · May/June 2004 –
by Douglas G. Smith, MD, Amputee Coalition Medical Director –
Part 1 of this series of articles on the transfemoral (above-knee, or AK) amputation level examined various aspects of energy use while walking and some of the many challenges of adjusting to life with this type of amputation. This article will focus on surgery and postoperative management.
The Transfemoral Amputation Level, Part 1
Volume 14 · Issue 2 · March/April 2004 –
by Douglas G. Smith, MD, Amputee Coalition Medical Director –
This is Part 1 of a three-part look at the transfemoral (aboveknee, or AK) amputation level, one of the more frequently performed amputation procedures. This article examines the prevalence of this amputation level, the nomenclature, and the various challenges facing the transfemoral amputee. Part 2 will examine surgical and postoperative issues, and Part 3 will focus on prostheses.
Having a Baby
Volume 13 · Issue 5 · September/October 2003 –
by Sarah Pedersen –
“When I went through my first pregnancy 20 years ago,” recalls Diane Thomas, her voice soft and wondering at the memory, “I didn’t have anyone to talk to about what to expect with my amputation. I just had to take it one day at a time and find my own way.”
The Syme-Ankle Level Disarticulation: Heels and Healing
Volume 13 · Issue 3 · May/June 2003 –
by Douglas G. Smith MD, Amputee Coalition Medical Director –
Choosing an amputation level is not always easy. The surgeon helps an individual patient understand and balance a complex set of variables. The goal, however, is always successful healing, preserving as much function as possible, and creating a residual limb that will work best with a prosthesis. Working as a team, we must weigh the benefits of different procedures with the possible downsides and decide on the wisest course of treatment.
The Wonderful World of Cosmesis
Volume 12 · Issue 2 · March/April 2002 –
by Rick Bowers –
Cosmesis – the art of making artificial limbs look lifelike – has changed dramatically from the time when a “cosmetic” hand might mean a piece of wood carved into the general shape of a hand until today when artificial hands – with freckles, veins, hair, and even tattoos – look so “real” that many people cannot even distinguish between them and an actual hand.
Charcot Neuropathic Arthropathy
Volume 12 · Issue 1 · January/February 2002 –
by Mihir M. Jani, MD, and Jeffrey E. Johnson, MD –
Charcot neuropathic arthropathy is a progressive destruction of bone and joints, which is usually caused by unrecognized injury and occurs in people who have peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of nerves that results in the loss of protective sensation in the feet, and often the hands, which prevents an individual from detecting foot injury. Neuropathy may have many causes, but occurs most commonly in people with diabetes mellitus and in those who abuse alcohol.