Current Trends in Lower Extremity Amputations & Prosthetics for the Physical and Occupational Therapist

Course overview

This seminar examines a clinician's role as an interprofessional team member to determine patient need, prescribe, obtain, train in use of, and evaluate effectiveness of lower extremity prosthetics. There is an emphasis on management of patient/clients with lower extremity amputations and common etiologies related to specific limb amputations, the associated impairments, and the expected outcomes. Pre-operative care and education for patients with lower extremity amputations, including pre-operative positioning and exercises based on examination findings will be presented. Attendees will experience hands-on demonstration of modern prosthetics related to limb amputation including basic components, biomechanics, alignment, material properties, fabrications, and fitting principles of prostheses. Biomechanical principles will be discussed related to gait, balance, and mobility assessments and interventions in individuals utilizing prostheses. Common gait deviations in patients with lower extremity amputations will be analyzed and instruction on determining the possible prosthetic and patient causes will be discussed. The participant will learn techniques to promote recovery through activities and therapeutic techniques that encourage independence and community re-entry for clients that use prostheses and those who do not.