1. Examination & Treatment of the Lower Extremity Amputee
Pre-prosthetic PT Intervention

2. Reading Focus for Class Discussion
O’Sullivan
pp. 620,
Blackboard-foot care/prevention
**We will use Guide to PT practice for this unit

3. Introduction
Labs for Unit 4, grading rubric for discharge note, home exercise program will be posted on Blackboard this week
Visit to Hanger will be scheduled for late April, in the evening and attendance is required (in lieu of Thursday/Friday lab)

4. Learning Objectives
Identify and apply major factors leading to lower extremity amputation
Describe and apply the levels of lower extremity amputation and the functional impact
Discuss and apply PT early post-operative examination, goals & treatment of the LE amputee.
When presented with a clinical case study, analyze & interpret patient data; determine realistic goals/outcomes and develop a plan of care

5. Case Scenario
It’s Tuesday morning, and you receive a PT order to evaluate and treat the following patient:
Mr. John Howard, 70 year old man who underwent a left lower extremity amputation Saturday afternoon

6. NAGI Disablement Model

7. What is the cause/reason for Mr. Howard’s amputation?
History of diabetes with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and chronic non-healing foot ulcers
Very mild peripheral neuropathy

8. What are the major causes for lower extremity amputation?
PVD=peripheral vascular disease (arteriosclerosis)
Associated with smoking & diabetes (6-25% of pts. With PVD & DM will need amputation)
Pt. with DM who undergoes one amputation 2 to PVD has 51% chance of 2nd operation within 10 yrs.2
Trauma
MVA, gunshot
Cancer
Congenital2

9. Causes of Amputation by Percent
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 328.

10. Risk factors for PVD? Diabetes Poorly managed HTN
High cholesterol/triglycerides
Smoker
*same as risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
PVD and peripheral neuropathy (numb, cold, paresthesia, pain) are the major predisposing factors for LE amputation in individuals with DM2
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 330.

11. What are Signs/Symptoms of Vascular Insufficiency?
Intermittent claudication
What is this?
Significant cramping pain, usually in the calf, that is induced by walking or other prolonged muscle contraction and relieved by a short period of rest
Vascular pain (increase with LE elevation)
Loss of one or more lower extremity pulses
Arteriosclerosis obliterans=at least one major arterial pulse (dorsal pedis artery at ankle, popliteal artery at knee or femoral artery in the groin) absent or impaired2

12. Clinical signs of PVD
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 344.

13. Protective sensation
Must be able to perceive 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament
Easy and inexpensive way to identify patients at risk for foot ulceration2

14. What should primary goal be with PVD/DM in regards to feet?
PREVENTION!

15. What is the level of Mr. Howard’s amputation?
s/p transtibial amputation of ideal length

16. Levels of Amputation

17. What are the levels/classification of amputation?
Transtibial (BK) 54%
Transfemoral (AK) 32%
Syme/foot 3%
Hip disarticulation 1%
Upper extremity 8% 4

18. How was Mr. Howard’s level of amputation selected?
Preserve as much viable tissue/select most appropriate level

19. Selection of Amputation Levels
General guidelines
Considerations with PVD
Considerations with trauma
Considerations with malignant tumor
Considerations with deformity
Considerations with congenital limb deficiency/deformity revision

20. How does the level of amputation and age of patient affect outcome?
Higher the amputation, more difficult the rehab.
Older/sicker the pt., more difficult the rehab.

21. Age of Amputees
> 61 40% %
<40 25%
72% are males 4

22. Who is on the Team? Pt. Dr. PT Prosthetist OT
Social worker/case manager
Dietician, nursing, etc.
Vocational Rehab

23. Responsibilities of the Team
Evaluate pt.
Initial training in prep. for prosthesis
Prescription of prosthesis (if appropriate)
Fabrication of prosthesis
Delivery of prosthesis
Evaluate fit of prosthesis
Train in use, care of prosthesis
Follow-up eval. For problems, possible changes, needs of pt.
Maintenance/replacement of prosthesis

24. What tests/measures should be included in Mr
What tests/measures should be included in Mr. Howard’s Initial PT examination?
Ideally Mr. Howard would have had a referral to PT BEFORE his amputation
Definitive strength assessment of joint just proximal to amputation can consist of only active, nonresisted antigravity motion until adequate healing of surgical site
i.e. will only be able to assess knee flexion and extension to fair muscle grade; TF will only be able to assess hip to fair muscle grade
When incision healed & cleared by Dr., remember that lever arm reduced & MMT grades could be inflated
Do not apply pressure for MMT through dressingmust be able to visualize suture line during 1st several weeks of preprosthetic prog.2
Guide to Physical Therapy Practice
Practice pattern 4 J, 5G, 7 A, 7C/D/E1

25. Pre-prosthetic Examination
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996, p. 73.

26. Exam
Seymour, R. Prosthetics and Orthotics: Lower Limb and Spinal. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2002, p. 37.

27. How can PT record measurements for Mr. Howard’s residual limb?
Actual length
Total length including soft tissue
Measurements taken from easily ID bony landmark to the palpated end of the long bone, to the incision line, or to the end of soft tissue
Medial joint line or tibial tubercle
TF start measurement at at ischial tuberosity or greater trochanter
Document which landmark you used!
TT 5-6 inches ideal; TT less than 3 inches problematic for prosthetic control and skin integrity
Circumference:medial tibial plateau or tibial tubercle and at equally spaced points to end of limb; TF=begin at ischial tuberosity or greater trochanterclearly document interval between measurements
Prosthesis often made when distal limb circ=prox limb circ (<1/4 inch difference) 2

28. Poor Residual Limb Healing
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996, p. 79.

29. What are likely limitations for Mr. Howard?
IMPAIRMENTS
Pain
Decreased strength, ROM, mobility
Decreased skin integrity
Decreased endurance
Psychological issues
FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS
Inability to walk, work, play

30. What should be included in the early post-op care for Mr. Howard?
ROM, positioning, skin care, edema control, isometrics, strengthening of UE’s/residual and remaining limb,pt. education, bed mobility, transfers, balance, etc.

31. What are PT’s primary goals/outcomes for Mr
What are PT’s primary goals/outcomes for Mr. Howard’s immediate post-operative period?
Ensure optimal wound healing
Early preparation of the limb for prosthetic fitting
Maintain, increase mobility
Improve endurance
Care of remaining limb
Maintain/increase ROM and strength

32. How should PT inspect Mr. Howard’s wound?
Monitor residual limb for shape, incision healing/closure, length, sensory integrity, volume, tissue integrity, color temp., pain
Easy to do with dressing change
Record quantity/quality of drainage
Normal for clear drainage first couple daysshould decrease over time; report red or darker blood or thickening discolored drainage with odor to Dr.
Traumatic (nondysvascular) pt. often ready to be casted for training prosthesis day 10, others day 142

33. How can you teach Mr. Howard scar management?
Once primary healing established, teach pt.scar massage above & below incision (not across)
Once wound well-closed, and no steri-strips, can begin gently to mobilize scar itself
Why is scar mobilization important?
Tissues must be able to glideadherence promotes shearing forces which lead to skin breakdown2

34. What are common post-amputation sensations Mr. Howard may experience?
phantom limb sensation
70% will experienceNumbness, tingling, pressure, itching, mild cramp in foot/calf
phantom limb pain
Shooting limb pain, severe cramping, severe burning in amputated foot/limbNOT psychological!
higher amputationgreater liklihood
Evidence if pt. had significant dysvascular limb pain a surgery are more likely to have phantom limb pain2

35. How would you explain phantom limb pain to Mr. Howard?
All nerves that once had branches to LE are still present, but end at a new place. It takes time for the brain to learn this fact. Also, these nerves may be very sensitive from the amputation surgery as they are pulled and then severed and allowed to retract. 4

36. What are some strategies for treatment of phantom limb pain?
Patient education before surgery
Alert pt. to issues of safetywake up in middle of night p recent amputation and fall when attempt to stand and walk thinking both limbs are intact
Careful inspection of limb to r/o neuroma or infected wound
Compression, use of prosthesis, desensitization techniques, heat
Medications, steroid injection, nerve block, relaxation/hypnosisvaried effectiveness2

37. PT management of Pain
Time pain meds. So that pain control in optimal during PT activities
Pt. ed. on imagery & relaxation methods
TENS: wound healing and phantom pain
US, cold therapy, massage
Wear prosthesis/compression bandages
Varying effectiveness
Pain management MUST NOT interfere with wound healing2

38. Why is compression bandaging important for ALL amputees?
Reduce edema
Controls pain
Enhances wound healing
Protects incision during functional activity
Facilitate preparation for prosthetic placement by shaping and desensitizing limb
*1st 4 are required even if pt. not a candidate for prosthesis2

39. What options are there for edema control for Mr. Howard?
Compression bandaging
Rigid
Rigid applied by surgeon in OR, removed 3-4 day, can then put new c IPOP-allows limited TTWB in 2-3 days-prosthetist
Best for controlling edema and pain
Not good for pt. c significant risk for infection because wound status not easily visualized unless removeable (RRD)-PT
Semi-rigid
Prosthetist takes negative mold in OR or p rigid removed 3 day
Polyethlene light weight,easy to clean,more durable than plaster
Unna paste=zinc oxide,glycerin,calamine & gelatindries 24 h; Can be left on for 5-7 days
Air bag
Soft bandaging=ace bandage, compressogrip
Once suture line healed (10-21 days), use shrinker TT/TF, Jobst for TF 2

40. Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 400.
RRD

41. Semi-rigid dressing
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 401.

42. Shrinkers
Lusardi MM & Nielsen CC. Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation. Woburn, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000, p. 405.

43. Principles of Ace-wrapping
Distal pressure should exceed proximal
Pressure applied on oblique turns only
Should be reapplied at least every 4 hours
No wrinkles
Don’t use metal clips—tape down
No aching, burning or numbness—remove
Wear 23 hours a day (remove for hygiene only)
Wash daily, squeeze, don’t wring and air dry (need 2 sets)
Continue use until pt. has definitive prosthesis & pt. can leave stump unwrapped overnight and don prosthesis without difficulty in the morning 6

44. What are the most common contractures to prevent in Mr. Howard?
Transtibial
Hip flexion
Knee flexion
Why?
Long periods sitting in w/c, bedposition of comfort is one of flexion
Protective flexion withdrawal pattern associated with LE pain
Muscle imbalances
Loss of sensory input from foot in WBing 2

45. What contractures are common in a transfemoral amputee?
Hip flexion
Hip abduction
Hip lateral rotation

46. How can PT prevent contractures in Mr. Howard?
Maintain knee in ext
Bedavoid use of pillows under residual limb
W/Csliding board, elevating amputee hanger; avoid long periods of sitting
Lie prone
PNF w/CR ,HMP/US, manual stretching, AROM/PROM
HEP (IP & OP) 2

47. Prevention of Contractures
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996, p. 87.

48. Strengthening For LE Amputee
Maximization of overall UE/LE/TRUNK strength and muscular endurance for safe, energy-efficient prosthetic gait, helps prevent contractures, maintains mobility
Post-operative muscle strengthening consists of isometric contractions within a limited ROM at joint proximal to amputation to minimize stress across incision
Watch breathingno valsalva!
Recommend 10 second cx, followed by 5-10 seconds rest for 10 reps.\
AROM of unaffected limbs day 1, affected-limb day 1-3; bed mobility/transfers day 2
As wound healing progresses, include large arcs of motion, active resistive exercise, isokinetics, eccentric, etc. 6

49. What should PT POC include for Mr. Howard?
Hip ext., hip abductors/adductors, knee ext.
hip flexors, knee flexors as needed (may need to stretch these short muscles)
General strengthening/ROM of trunk and UE’s important (esp. back ext. and abdominals, shoulder depressors and elbow ext.)
Aerobic ex. to increase endurance
mobility
Posture-COG shifted up, back and toward remaining extremity
Skin integrityprep residual limb/care remaining
Balance 2

50. TT Exercises
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996, p. 88.

51. TF Exercises
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996, p. 89.

52. Key Points PT will ideally begin BEFORE pt. has amputation
After a LE amputation, PT focus on pre-prosthetic training for functional mobility, residual AND remaining limb skin care
Questions?

53. References:
American Physical Therapy Association. Guide to Physical Therapy Practice. 2nd ed. Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association; 2001.
May, BJ. Amputation and Prosthetics: A Case Study Approach. Philadelphia: Davis; 1996.
Northwestern University Prosthetics Training Handouts, 2003.
O’Sullivan SB & Schmitz TJ. Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and Treatment. 4thed. Philadelphia: Davis; 2001.
Seymour, R. Prosthetics and Orthotics: Lower Limb and Spinal. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2002.