Podiatry and Amputees

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.

I was asked today "What is the role of a podiatrist where amputation is involved?" My answer referred to prevention and referral. But do we have a bigger role than this? or do we leave everything up to the rehabilitation physio's?

 

I for one take a great interest in patients who have had amputations and spent an interesting day at our regional amputee centre to see what they did and what products they had. I got alot out of the day and brought alot of that knowledge back to my surgical team. My patients are always keen to discuss their limb issues with me and I think its important to be able to give the right advice.

 

In my NHS days I worked one morning a week within a rehabiliatation centre alongside a Physiotherapist and a Consultant. It was a relatively new service and was good fun to help set up. Of course gait/loading patterns change dramatically following the loss of a limb and whilst adjusting to a new prosthesis - (and assuming an underlying disease process which still exists was involved in the amputation) - this will place the remaining foot/limb at high risk.

I feel we have a role to play here - in working alongside the physio with amputees to try and improve gait paramenters and protect the remaining limb. Whether that be by monitoring neuro-vasular status, routine/palliative care, or provision of functional/accomodative orthoses (for just the remaining limb of course...)

Ian

 

Hi philmyfeet,

:welcome: to Podiatry Arena.

Have you searched the existing threads RE: amputation?

If not there may be some which may interest you.

http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/tags/index.php?tag=/amputations/

Regards,

Mandy

 

Thanks Twirly,

I checked out the amputation link and there is some "interesting" information there, but sadly nothing on our role of podiatrists with amputation and amputees.

If I asked you what your view was on the role of podiatry in ampuataion and rehabilitation what would it be?

Philmyfeet
(who hopes he is not flogginga dead horse)
:deadhorse:
(or banging his head against a brick wall)
:bash:

 

Communication. Prevention. Education. Action.

http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?node=1408

Conclusion

.

St. Vincents Declaration documentation & references: http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?node=839

My opinion: Our role is multifactorial. As you indicated in your original post.

. Our skills are primarily to educate & prevent amputation by encouraging the individual to accept their role in lower limb health before critical care becomes an issue. (Only my opinion) If the individual is appropriately
educated before ulceration occurs then optimum outcomes may be achieved. Multidisciplinary teams are the best way (as indicated by the International Diabetes Federation) to achieve this.

In my own experience I was fortunate to have witnessed what I would consider the very best of Diabetic foot care during a visit to Hope hospital, Salford. UK. Their foot clinic contained all the elements of multidisciplinary care for patients. Podiatrists, Orthopaedic, Podiatric & vascular surgery teams. Orthotists, specialist nursing teams, dietician etc.

All working together to provide each patient with appropriate care at each appt. as required.

Our own education is the most important resource. As clinicians we need to strive to continue to build our knowledge to allow us to provide the very best of available care to individuals.

Again, only my opinion. Improved communication between health professionals can only improve outcomes. We all play a role in educating patients.

My view anyway.

Regards,

Mandy.

 

I worked in a Prosthetics & Orthotics dept at a Rehabilitation center for 8 yrs.


We need to consider the different requirements for the Non-traumatic amputee (Diabets etc) and the Traumatic Amputee.

Obviously for the non traumatic amputee, prevention, protection of the remaining foot & leg and allowing efficiency of ambulation and mobility without compromising the foot and leg.

For the traumatic amputee it is more often allowing for efficiency and symetry. The F-SCAN is very useful here.

Regardless we need to work with the Rehab Physio's not seperately.

Graham

 

Hi Phil, I have also treated a staff memeber at a clinic that I worked at, I dealt with the H/K on the stump/ Ulceration of the stump/wound dressings and offloading/ of both the stump and the comnplications with footwear/adjustments to the other shoes.

Cheers