Amputation Flashcards

1
Q

Transtibial amputation technique includes what

A

most common =burgess technique
posterior flap made from lateral and medial gastrocnemius and soleus

Flap fixed by sutures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Standard post op care includes

A

consider effects of anaesthetics
pulmonary co-morbidities
circulation exercises for other limb - check for DVT
Sit out of bed early post op - check post op notes
Progress to W/C transfers, standing, mobility with aids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Stump management in acute care includes

A
oedema reduction and prevention - compression therapy
wound cares, promotion of wound healing 
pain management and desensitisation 
early prosthetic fitting 
prevention of contractures 
exercise rehabilitation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Acute wound care includes

A
suture splitting 
malodour, pus
redness, heat, swelling 
febrile, unwell, chest pain, dizziness
intense pain 
other leg is cold
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Ongoing stump care includes

A
swelling
rash
cysts, boils
lumps under skin 
inflammation of skin 
itching 
rough, dark skin 
flaking skin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

encourage

A

daily washing, thorough drying, moisturise stump

manage perspiration ; baby powder, regular bandage/sock changes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Parameters and Benefits of scar massage

A
5-10mins, 3-4 times a day 
decreases oedema 
reduce scar tissue 
reduce contractures 
improves healing 
assists desensitisation of stump 
can help with phantom pain 
helps to prepare for prosthesis 
May require massage in intact limb
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Intact limb care includes

A

important, particularly if PVD or diabetes is present
encourage regular inspection by professionals
control diabetes, stop smoking
daily hygiene, skin moisturiser, good footwear
Check skin condition, particularly heels `

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Be aware of new sensations and pain

A

stump pain

  • wound healing
  • requires good pain control
  • may occur later in healing stages
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Phantom pain

A

20-50% of patients
crushing, toes twisting, hot iron, burning, tingling, cramping, shocking, shooting, p&n’s
decrease in severity and frequency over time
requires specialised pain control
can change with emotional state

phantom sensation/phantom limb syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

List some causes of ongoing stump pain

A

abscess, infection, skin conditions
muscle contractures
neuromas
bony spurs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

pain management in amputees includes

A
contracture prevention 
oedema management 
adequate post op analgesia 
desensitisation - massage, taping, bandaging
Get moving- distraction helps 
early prosthetic training 

TENS, vibrations, acupuncture, hypnosis, biofeedback, ECT, mirror therapy, CBT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Compression therapy for oedema management includes

A
RRDs removable rigid dressings 
post op silicone liners
stump bandaging
stump shrinkers
- controls oedema, stump shape (dog ear, adductor roll)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

RRD usage, advantages

A

Usually applied immediately post op (20mins) for TTAs

Advantages

  • decrease oedema - facilitate wound healing
  • allows wound inspection
  • stump shaping - earlier time to prothetic fitting
  • pain management
  • prevent contractures
  • stump protection from trauma(falls)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Disadvantages of RRDs

A

specialist skill/therapist required for application
close monitoring required
can be heavy and affect bed mobility
lack of progressive compression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what does the research say about RRDs

A

most effective form of post op dressing in TTA

good prosthetic warm up indicator
do not remove the rigid dressing for more than 10 minutes at a time
wool socks should be added as the volume of the stump decreases

when the patient requires 3 or more wool socks or if there are problems fitting the cast - new cast
Worn 24/7, except bathing/limb inspection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

RRD joint line

A

cast created up to knee joint line

held in place by suspension cuff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Pros of joint line RRD

A

allows knee flexion/ext
can easily pad with socks
easy to make

19
Q

cons of joint line RRD

A
suspension cuff - risk of tourniquet 
does not prevent knee flexion contracture 
difficult to align when donning 
harder to shape stump
soft tissue can be pinched
20
Q

Thigh high RRD

A

knee fixed into extension

no suspension cuff required

21
Q

pros of thigh high RRD

A
easier alignment when donning 
prevents flexion contracture 
don't need to pack socket 
less soft tissue pinching 
better fit
22
Q

cons of thigh high RRD

A

harder to make
requires more materials
needs removing for knee exercises

23
Q

Use of bandaging /shrinker socks has what effects

A

increases pressure tolerance
encourages conical shape
decreases swelling and readiness for casting
maintains constant volume
provides sensory feedback - minimising phantom sensations

24
Q

Bandaging/shrinker socks advantages

A

low cost
washable
easy to don/doff
easy to monitor wound

25
Q

disadvantages of bandaging /shrinker socks

A

may slip off, loosen easily
slower healing, longer hospital stay
elastic bandage can be inconsistent with application causing pressure problems
shearing over wound with shrinkers

26
Q

Bandaging guidelines

A

check stump first, dressing over wound
all bandages turns should be diagonal (not spiral) to avoid tourniquet (figure 8 dressing)
Never restrict blood flow - pain = reduced circulation
should be applied with extended knee
graduated pressure, firm at the end of stump, apply pressure on upwards turn. should be able to fit finger under top
re-apply ever 4h
no folds, creases, windows
no pins to secure, use only tape
worn 24/7

27
Q

Shrinkers suggestions

A

should be tight but not painful or restrict blood flow
make sure the top does not roll - can reduce blood supply
when starting to use a prosthesis the shrinker should be worn whenever the prothesis is off
seam should not shear over wound

28
Q

Contractures

A

tissue tightening resulting in pain and reduced ROM

Amputees are at risk of flex/ext contractures at the hip

29
Q

What to consider when looking at positioning

A
no pillows under stump or thigh 
no crossing legs in bed
maintain knee extension (stump board) in sitting 
prone lying to maintain hip extension 
early ambulation/standing
active strengthening/AROM 
-hip extension 
-knee extension 
RRD
30
Q

What to consider when deciding exercises

A
prone lying 
maintain joint ROM 
increase muscle strength 
- reduce LL atrophy as a result of poor positioning/reduced use of muscles 
-don't forget the intact limb 
-remember the upper limb 

balance retraining- transfers

increase CV endurance
- self propelling in wheelchair and/or walking with prosthesis

31
Q

What to consider when looking at transfers

A
key to independence 
reduces complications of bed rest 
practice bed mobility 
transfer practice 
- pivot practice 
-stand transfer 
-slide board (also helps to protect stump) 
STS transfer onto frame 
Floor to chair transfer - in case of fall
32
Q

Mobility aid options for gait reducation

A

hopper
two single sticks
one single stick
crutches

33
Q

Hopper got gait re-education

A

stable but slow and does not allow step through gait

34
Q

Two single sticks and gait reeducation

A

less stable but allows step through gait and reciprocal gait pattern

35
Q

one single stick and gait reeducation

A

enables good balance but need even WB and requires increased strength and balance

36
Q

crutches and gait reeducation

A

encourage stooping and does not allow effective use of glutes (major stability muscles when walking)

37
Q

PPAM aid

A

pneumatic post amputation mobility aid
-used for transtibial and transfemoral amputees
aluminium support frame with air bags to hold limb
PWB aid only
used primarily in parallel bars

38
Q

PPAM aid cont

A

use >7days post op (depends on wound healing)
can be applied over stump dressings, shrinkers etx
air bags cup around stump
- 40mmHg for mobilising
worn for 5-10 minutes initially - stump must be examined
gradually build up wearing time

39
Q

benefits of PPAM aid

A
psychological boost
patient is upright and weight bearing 
provides total stump contact 
aids in oedema reduction 
can give indication about whether suitable for prosthesis 
Can be re-used for other amputees 

but
- no natural knee movement used
gait tricks – circumduction
-time consuming set up

40
Q

Suitability for a prothesis includes

A
good stump condition 
adequate ROM and strength 
Able to hop
no medical issues preventing training 
intact cognitive function 
- ability to learn complicated task of gait retraining and safety in using a prosthesis 
medical issues affecting cognitive function eg. dementia, stroke may limit ability 
social situation 
attitude and motivation
41
Q

Prosthetic considerations

A

TTA requires 40% more energy to walk with a prosthesis than walking with two legs
TFA requires 100% more energy to walk again
can preserve energy by slowing down when walking and /or using a walking aid

42
Q

If a patient is a prosthetic candidate

A

PWB as soon as surgeon allows (PPAM aid/interim)

FWB as soon as wound is healed with no open lesions which varies from 14 days to months

compression therapy is extremely important
- stump volume decreases rapidly in first 3 months, then gradually over next 15 months
refer to QALS

43
Q

interim prostheses

A

once the wound is healed (at least 8/52) post op

allow modifications to be made in the learning phase and while the stump stabilises in size

44
Q

Definitive prosthesis

A

fitted once learning phase is completed
finished to look like the intact leg
usually provides 3 years of use to an amputee before replacement