Amputee Program

Amputation is the loss of a limb due to a traumatic event (i.e. a car accident, work accident, etc.), a medical reason (i.e. diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cancer, etc.), or for other reasons such as a break or wound that does not heal, frostbite, or being born missing a limb.

An Interdisciplinary Team Approach

At Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, our interdisciplinary team helps post-amputee patients to adjust physically and psychologically after the loss of a limb and resume active and productive lives. Individuals may be treated as inpatients or outpatients, depending on their personal needs. Patients work to improve strength, coordination and endurance and also learn proper wound care. When ready, our patients are prescribed prosthetic devices that are both functional and comfortable to wear. Once tined with a new limb, the patient learns to use the prosthesis with confidence and to incorporate it into daily life.

Amputee Program Outcomes

Amputee Team Highlights

• Dr. Terrence Sheehan is the chair of the Amputee Coalition of America.
• Dr. Sheehan's specialty is Amputee Rehabilitation.
• Sandy Shehadeh, PT, has been working with amputees for the past three years, writes the monthly newsletter for amputees, and runs the support group "Ability with Mobility" at Adventist Rehab.
• Sandy Shehadeh was a trainer for the PALS (Promoting Amputee Life Skills) study, sponsored by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, University of Washington, and Amputee Coalition of America.
• Kylee Haddad is an ACA (Amputee Coalition of America) Peer Support Visitor and was a facilitator for the PALS study.
• Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland is a member of the ACA.
• Prosthetic & Orthotic Clinics every other week.
• Monthly amputee walking school at our Rockville and Silver Spring Outpatient Clinics.

Critical Elements of the Program

1. Gait Training
2. Prosthetic & Orthotic Training
3. Patient Handbook
4. Skin Care
5. Balance
6. Mobility-Transfers
7. Family Education
8. Assisted Device Choices
9. Home Modification

Prosthetics & Orthotics

Depending on the nature of the illness or injury, a patient may require a prosthesis to replace a missing limb or an orthosis (such as a brace) to stabilize a weak or paralyzed limb. Whatever the need, our certified prosthetists and orthotists are skilled at fitting the most advanced and appropriate devices, as prescribed by the physician and are available to make any equipment adjustments necessary.

We offer a prosthetic and orthotic clinic every other week at our Rockville location. For more information about the clinic, please call 240-864-6007.

Admissions

Please visit our admissions process page for more information on beginning your rehabilitation at Adventist Rehab!