By Matthew Klein
Falls among amputees are a serious concern. Studies show that over 16% of amputees experience a fall during their acute post-surgical hospital stay, and almost a third of patients experience a fall sometime during their inpatient rehabilitation. 1-4 These falls often lead to costly and time-consuming revision surgeries and can lengthen acute stays, which can strain hospital resources.3
Post-Operative Limb Protection with AmpuShield®
Over 40 years of clinical studies have documented the advantages of removable rigid dressings (RRDs), such as Hanger Clinic’s proprietary line of AmpuShield® below-knee and above-knee limb protectors.1-4 Some proven benefits include wound protection, faster healing times, earlier ambulation, easy access to wounds for inspection, edema control, contracture prevention, and reducing the risk of costly revisions due to falls.
AmpuShield is appropriate for transtibial and transfemoral amputation patients and is clinically proven to optimize patient outcomes and reduce the length of hospital stay. It was intentionally designed with a rigid yet comfortable plastic that, in conjunction with the strapping system, provides compression to reduce swelling and shapes limbs for a more effective transition to a prosthesis. A 3-inch foam pad at the distal end of the device helps protect the limb and wound during recovery and rehabilitation. Both custom and off-the-shelf options are available, including softer or more rigid materials, depending on the patient’s needs.
Connect With Us
AmpuShield is available from your local Hanger Clinic office and is measured and fit the same day it’s ordered for most patients. With over 45 locations in Florida, we aim to meet patients where they are, close to home. Contact Hanger Clinic at (954) 731-8000 or visit HangerClinic.com/clinics/FL to find a location near you. To learn more about AmpuShield, visit HangerClinic.com/AmpuShield.
Matthew Klein, CPO, is the Hanger Clinic Area Director.
References:
1 Yu JC, Lam K, Nettel-Aguirre A, Donald M, Dukelow S. Incidence and risk factors of falling in the postoperative lower limb amputee while on thesurgical ward. PMR 2010 Oct;2(10):926-34. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.06.005.
2 Pauley T, Devlin M, Heslin K. Falls sustained during inpatient rehabilitation after lower limb amputation: Prevalence and predictors. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;85:521–532.
3 Gooday, H, Hunter, J. Preventing falls and stump injuries in lower limb amputees during inpatient rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation 2004;18: 379/390.
4 Vlahov D, Myers AH, al-Ibrahim MS. Epidemiology of falls among patients in a rehabilitation hospital. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1990 Jan;71(1):8-12.