Post-Operative and Pre-Prosthetic Assessment Flashcards
The shorter the time between ____ and ____, the better the overall outcomes.
- amputation
- prosthetic
What complications can youanticipate could occur with delayed prosthetic fitting?
- Infection
- Uncontrolled edema
- Uncontrolled pain
- Delayed wound healing (suture)
- Improper positioning results in contractures
- Insurance (how many visits they will pay for)
IPOP and EPOP
IPOP: Immediate Post-op Prosthetic
* Applied in the OR
* Prosthetist present for application
* Focus on rehabilitation over simply recovery
EPOP: Early Post-op Prosthetic
* 5-7 days post-surgical
* Prosthetist performs at bedside
* Allows for wound management
Prosthetic Phase - Post Surgery
- Part 1: time between surgeryand fitting with adefinitive prosthesis oruntil the decision ismade to not fit thepatient for a prosthesis
- Part 2: Starts with the delivery of a “check (trial) socket” and progresses to the permanent prosthesis.
Limb volume, shaping and post-operative edema management
Why does it matter?
- Pain control
- Promote wound healing
- Protect incision
- Prepare for prosthesis and weight bearing
Limb volume, shaping and post-operative edema management
Options (Least to most constrictive)
- Soft dressings (wrap, no compression)
- Ace wraps/compressive coverings
- Semi-rigid dressing (SRD)
- Removable Rigid Dressing (RRDs)
– Very popular - Rigid cast dressing (done in OR)
– Cannot be taken off
Rigid - Plaster Cast
- Must be cut off like a cast
- Holds knee in extension
- Removed when limb volume decreases or per surgeon protocol
- May afforc limited WB with distal attachment
Rigid - Pre-fabricated polymer shell
- Removable to be ableto inspect wound
- Holds knee inextension
- May ormay notaccommodate distal attachment
This is an example of
- Rigid Dressing
- Often used for transtibial amputations
Rigid Dressings: Pros and Cons
Pros
* Excellent post-op edemacontrol (Fluid can’t come in)
* Excellent residual limb (RL)protection (Hard shell keep shape)
* Better control of phantomand post op pain
* Allow for earlier WB andprosthesis fitting
Cons
* No access to incision if it isnot removable
* More expensive – requiresprosthetist in OR or at bedside
* Training is essential forproper application andmonitoring
* Close supervision required
Semi-Rigid Dressing (SRD)
- Composed of paste compounds and are applied inOR
- Dressing adheres to skin – no need for suspensionbelts
- Allows slight jointmovement
Just like an Unna boot – same materials used for post-op amputation.
Semi-Rigid Dressing: Air Splint - Pros/Cons
- Put on, pumped up; immobilizes and compresses
- Similar to what would be used for fracture immobilization in an acute environment.
- Can also be used as a temporary prosthesis.
Pros:
* Allows inspectionand protection
* Comfort
Cons:
* Pressure is notuniform
* Hot , humid
* Require frequentcleaning limb and air cast
* Require frequentcleaning
Semi-Rigid Dressings: Overall - Pros/Cons
Pros
* Better edema control than soft dressings
* Residual limb (RL) protection
Cons
* Needs frequent changing
* Must be applied by a professional
* No access to incision
Soft Dressing: Elastic Wrap
- ACE Wrap
Pros
* Easy to apply
* Easy to incision
* Inexpensive
Cons:
* Needs frequent rewrapping (slippage)
* Risk of torniquet pressure
* May be tough to put on oneself
Soft Dressings: Shrinker
- Sock-like garments of heavy rubberized cotton
Pros:
* Easy to apply
* Inexpensive
* Various sizes
* Easy to apply (slide on)
Cons:
* May or may not be used prior to suture removal
* Must change sizes as RL volume decreases
Early Prosthetic Fitting
- Ideally fit RL when shrinkage is maximal
- Reality is limb will shrink regardless
- Literature strongly supports benefits of early fittingfor pain and edema control, RL protection andimproved activity levels. (8-12 weeks)
Pros and cons of remaining non-WB early on?
- Pros: skin protection, incision protection, healing time, controlling RL volume, pain management, desensitization
- Cons: delayed ambulation patterning/practice, possible delay in strengthening and balance training, pain management, edema control
Discharge Options - Post Surgical
Inpatient rehab: patient must be able to tolerate 3 hours of therapy/day (PT, OT, SLP combined)
Home health care: patient must be able to get into home, but be homebound
Outpatient: patient must be able to get into/out of home without significant burden
SNF/sub-acute stay: patient unable to return home but needs a slower therapy progression
Early Post-Operative Therapy (Pre-Prosthetic) Goals
- Promote RL wound healing
- Residual limb pain management and control
- Phantom limb pain/sensation management
- Optimize ROM of B LE and UE without impairing RL healing
- Optimize strength of B LE and UE without impairing RL healing
- Protect remaining limb
- Demonstrate functional sitting and standing balance
- Perform independent transfers and bed mobility
- Ambulate with appropriate assistive device
- Demonstrate proper sitting and bed positioning
- Begin psychological adjustment
- Understand the process of prosthetic rehabilitation
Variables Impacting Progress
- Type of amputation
- Etiology of amputation (Traumatic, PVD, etc.)
- Co-morbidities
- Pt’s ability tocontribute information
- Pain
- Infection
- Post-surgicaldressing
- Psychological status (Mental adjustment after loss of limb)
How to perform exam for someone with amputation?
- Subjective
- Systems Review
- Objective
Priorities of the Acute Care Exam
- Pain management (PCA button, oral medication, when last taken)
- Grieving and psychological adjustment
- Wound care /sutureline healing
- Limb volume control
- Mobility training
- Readiness for singlelimb ambulation