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A Longer Look at Amputation for Rehabilitation Nurses

Presented by Cheryl Lehman

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Rehabilitation nurses across the continuum will encounter patients with a variety of orthopedic conditions, both medical and surgical in nature. Amputation is one of these conditions. Whether from a congenital, medical, or traumatic cause, persons with amputation will benefit from rehabilitation and rehabilitation nursing care. This course will review limb amputation from various causes. The physical implications of amputation of the lower and upper limbs will be discussed, as well as the implications for the ability to carry out ADLs and IADLs. The effects of amputation on normal growth and development will be included, and the role of the rehabilitation nurse in positive outcomes for the amputee will be discussed.

Meet your instructor

Cheryl Lehman

Dr. Cheryl Lehman has been a registered nurse since graduating from the Decatur Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1978. Since that time, she earned a BSN from Maryville University-St. Louis in 1990; an MSN in Adult Health Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston in the Clinical Nurse…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Congenital Limb Deficiency

1. Congenital Limb Deficiency

This chapter will review the unique aspects of children born with altered or missing limbs. Risk factors, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments will be discussed, with assessment parameters included. Developmental aspects of limb deficiency in infants and children will be discussed, as will the role of rehabilitation. The role of the rehabilitation nurse in the care of the infant and child with congenital limb deficiency will be included.

Amputation Due to Diabetes

2. Amputation Due to Diabetes

This chapter will review the amputation due to a chronic disease, diabetes. Risk factors, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments will be discussed, with assessment parameters included. The role of the rehabilitation nurse in the acute and chronic stages of the disease will be included.

Traumatic Upper Limb Amputation

3. Traumatic Upper Limb Amputation

This chapter will review the unique aspects of upper limb amputation due to trauma. Prevalence, incidence, and regional factors in the United States will be explained. Risk factors, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments will be discussed, with assessment parameters included. The role of the rehabilitation nurse in the acute and chronic stages of the condition will be included.

Hemipelvectomy Due to Cancer, Infection or Trauma

4. Hemipelvectomy Due to Cancer, Infection or Trauma

This chapter will review the unique aspects of hemipelvectomy – or removal of the lower limb and pelvis on one side. A relatively rare condition, it has been used as an intervention for cancer, after a traumatic incident or blast injury, and for extensive pressure ulcers with osteomyelitis. This chapter will review the risk factors for hemipelvectomy, potential complications, and the unique aspects of rehabilitation and restoration of mobility. The role of the rehabilitation nurse in the care of the person with hemipelvectomy will be included.

Prosthetics

5. Prosthetics

Advances in prosthetics have taken place in recent years due to the military trauma experienced by our wounded warriors. There are now many options for upper limb and lower limb prosthetics. This chapter will review the indications for prosthetics, costs, options available, and important aspects of patient education. The ideal patient for successful prosthetic use will be identified, and potential complications will be discussed.

Nursing Care of the Patient with an Amputation

6. Nursing Care of the Patient with an Amputation

Nurses play an important role in the care of the person with an amputation. While that care will vary depending upon the cause of the amputation and the stage of healing, it is the nurse who assists the person with an amputation and their family to learn about the physical care of the limb and/or surgical site, prevention of complications, when to call the provider, and how to assess the site. This chapter will review the care of the patient with an amputation and the importance of the rehabilitation nurse to that patient.