Amputee (Limb Loss) Rehabilitation

Speed your healing, restore your confidence, and get the skills to return home and live independently with Burke’s rehabilitation programs for people experiencing limb (leg, arm) amputation.

Conditions We Treat

Trust the Burke amputee rehabilitation specialists to treat you and restore your functional independence. We serve patients age 16 through the lifespan and younger on a case-by-case basis who have these leg or arm amputations:

• Above-knee (transfemoral)
• Below-knee (transtibial)
• Toe and transmetatarsal
• Above-elbow (transhumeral)
• Below-elbow (transradial)
• Shoulder blade and collar bone (interscapular-thoracic)

Inpatient & Outpatient Care

Your doctor will recommend the right level of care for your needs. Receive inpatient care for lower limb amputation and outpatient care for both upper and lower limbs.

• Inpatient rehabilitation – You stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and receive rehabilitation care:
  • Up to three hours of therapy each weekday and up to two hours of therapy over the weekend in a combination of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy as needed.
  • Prosthetics/Orthotics team consults
  • Nurses and doctors care for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Outpatient rehabilitation – You stay at home and visit us for therapy and/or doctor appointments.

Inpatient Care

Admission to Inpatient Rehab

Your doctor, social worker or another professional may refer you to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital for inpatient amputee care. We’ll review your medical records and insurance coverage, and a nurse may visit you to evaluate your health and confirm our program is right for your needs. Your condition must be stable (not worsening), and you must be able to take part in three hours of therapy each day, spread over morning and afternoon.

If you have questions, call the screening department at (914) 597-2519 or email us. See a list of insurance plans we participate with and talk to your insurance provider about your care coverage.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program

Burke’s program takes place in two phases:

• Phase I: Focuses on mobility, protection, education, management of swelling, emotional support, pain control, and wound care. You’re taught exercises to strengthen and maintain flexibility throughout your body and learn how to function in your daily life. Burke’s goal is to discharge you home with continued services, education and equipment.
• Phase II: Return to the hospital after your residual limb has healed to focus on training with your prosthetic (artificial) limb. Your therapists and clinical team will directly guide all functional activities.

For additional information about the program, please refer to the program description for Amputee[pdf].

Learn what you can expect at Burke Rehabilitation—from the time you arrive to when you go home:

• Your Inpatient Stay
• Your Hospital Care Team
• Life After Inpatient Care

Amputation Rehab Team

Your Burke Rehabilitation Hospital care team puts you at the center of goal setting and treatment. Team members meet weekly to discuss how you’re doing and adjust your personalized care plan so you make steady progress. Team members may include:

• Doctor specializing in amputation and orthopedics
• Other specialty doctors
• Neuropsychologist
• Nurses
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapist
• Recreational therapist
• Respiratory therapist
• Social worker/case manager
• Speech-language pathologist
• Wound Care Specialist

Inpatient Support Services

From the moment you’re admitted to the hospital, we’ll make sure you get all the health services you need, including:

• Lab tests
• Nutrition services
• Orthotics (braces and splints)
• Pharmacy services
• Prosthetic services as needed
• Radiology
• Spiritual care
• Wheelchair fitting
• Wound care

Inpatient Education

You and your family will learn how your limb loss affects your abilities and how to take care of yourself going forward. Burke will guide and teach you as you adjust to new ways to move. Your loved ones play an important role in recovery, so we’ll involve them in your care whenever possible.

Outcomes

View our outcomes report to see information about our amputee care.

Leaving the Hospital

Discharge planning starts early in your stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. Receive recommendations for continued services, medical appointments, applications for transportation or parking permits, community resources, and more. A social worker or case manager will talk with you and your family to recommend the next steps after leaving the hospital. Options may include:

• Return home and receive in-home therapy
• Return home and start outpatient therapy
• Transition to another facility for continuing medical care and therapy

Outpatient Physician Care

Enhance your independence, function, mobility and stability by seeing a Board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor in the outpatient physician group for ongoing medical care. Burke’s specialists can determine the best prosthesis (artificial limb) for you and ensure a comfortable and functional fit over time.

Outpatient Therapy

After your hospital stay, get treatment at a Burke outpatient location near you. Work one-on-one with a dedicated therapist who will treat you several times per week in 45-minute sessions. Expect improvements in your independence and integration into home life with Burke’s renowned care.

Receive physical therapy and/or occupational therapy, depending on your condition.

Community Programs

Take advantage of the many resources sponsored or hosted by Burke for people living in our communities.