Volume 21, Issue 1 January/February 2011 –
by Scott Cummings, PT, CPO, FAAOP –
It is the goal of most every lower-limb amputee to walk “normally” again. In the context of this article, “normal” is defined as a symmetrical gait pattern that falls within the “average” range in terms of posture, step length, rate of speed, limb positioning, etc. But being a lower-limb amputee resents many different challenges when it comes to ambulating safely and without exerting excessive energy.
‘Tips for Upper Extremity Amputees’ Video Playlist
Updated Jan 21, 2011 –
View the ‘Tips for Upper Extremity Amputees’ playlist on the Amputee Coalition’s YouTube channel.
What Are Some of the Long-Term Physical Effects of Using or Not Using a Prosthesis?
Volume 20, Issue 6 November/December 2010 –
by Nicholas LaRaia, PT, DPT, NCS –
Most will partly deal with the loss by attempting to replace the limb with an artificial one to regain function and/or the appearance of being whole or normal again. But, there are definitely some long-term physical effects of amputation, whether or not a prosthesis is used. Prosthetic use is not for everyone, and upper-limb amputees often are more likely to choose not to use a prosthesis than lower-limb amputees.
Myths and Truths About Social Security Disability Income
Volume 20, Issue 3 May/June 2010 –
by Gerald B. Kagan –
Certain benefits, known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are available to the very poor (those with less than $2,000 in total assets and a minimum monthly income threshold that changes annually – currently $640 per month). SSI benefits are not discussed further in this article, and you should call the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you think that you may qualify for such benefits.
Choosing the Right Shoe
Volume 20 · Issue 2 ·March/April 2010 –
by Séamus Kennedy, BEng (Mech), CPed –
Choosing the right shoe; what could be easier? Often, the decision depends more on your mood or your wallet than anything else. For amputees or people with complications from vascular disease, life is not so simple. Selecting the proper footwear may be an integral part of long-term health considerations, and this leads to more limited choices.
The Big Cover-up
Volume 19 · Issue 7 · November/December 2009 –
by Elizabeth Bokfi –
“Bad year, that 2007,” I tell people when they ask me what happened to my leg. It’s a generic statement I’ve seamlessly incorporated into my conversations now, almost 3 years since my amputation surgery. The discovery of a bone tumor in late 2006 left me a left-side, belowknee amputee in January 2007.
A Lesson on Insuring Your Prosthesis
Volume 19 · Issue 6 · October 2009 –
by Tammie Higginbotham –
One day while sitting down with our insurance agent for our yearly coverage discussion, I happened to bring up the question of purchasing a “personal articles” policy to cover my prosthesis. What ensued was a very enlightening conversation between our agent, my husband, Jon, and me.
Focus on Bilateral Above-Knee Amputees
Volume 19 · Issue 4 · July/August 2009 –
by Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, and Randy Richardson, RPA –
People who have experienced limb loss know that it only takes a moment for your life to be completely redefined. Yesterday, you were standing and walking. Today, you are in a hospital bed or a wheelchair. Tomorrow – well, tomorrow is uncertain and hard to even think about. Any amputation is life-altering, but people with bilateral above-knee amputations face a particularly complicated process of physical and emotional rehabilitation. The long-term goal is usually being able to walk again with prosthetic legs. However, even after months of rehabilitation, many people lose confidence that they will ever walk comfortably and independently. What can bilateral above-knee amputees do to increase the likelihood of getting their feet back on the ground? They can follow a graduated, four-step approach to becoming a prosthesis user.
Getting Appropriate Physical Therapy
Volume 19 · Issue 3 · May/June 2009 –
by Scott Waite, MPT –
Appropriate physical therapy is crucial to both the physical and emotional lives of people who must live with a residual limb after amputation. Without it, patients are in store for a wide variety of additional problems during and after their recovery. The use of a prosthesis to improve amputees’ functional abilities is becoming more of the norm than ever, and the time between the amputation and receiving a prosthesis should be used wisely to ensure the patient’s long-term well-being. In addition, physical therapy is important for people who already have a prosthesis but who spend long periods without using it due to health problems, a poor fit or residual-limb issues (skin breakdown, neuropathy, revision surgery, etc.).
Prostheses for Children With Limb Differences
Volume 19 · Issue 2 · March/April 2009 –
by Douglas G. Smith, MD, and Kellye M. Campbell, MN, ARNP –
Children with limb differences tend to adapt remarkably well to a prosthesis, far better than adults in most cases. But there can be bumps in the road, just like there are with almost every childhood and developmental issue.