Amputee Rehabilitation

As one of few CARF-accredited amputee rehabilitation programs in the region, our rehabilitation experts care for patients recovering from single and multiple limb amputation in both the upper and lower extremity. Our patients benefit from personalized inpatient care that helps them achieve the highest level of health and independence. In addition, we emphasize patient and family empowerment to help patients adjust to an independent life after losing a limb.

Most patients come to inpatient rehabilitation immediately following their amputation. However, sometimes our team meets with patients while they are still in an acute care setting to prepare them for what can be a very intensive and challenging rehabilitation program. Our specially-trained amputation rehabilitation team sees patients in Washington, D.C., at our flagship hospital, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (MedStar NRH), as well as the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, which boasts a newly renovated, state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility in Baltimore.

Program highlights

Our inpatient services combine medical care with specialized therapy and emotional support to help patients experiencing limb loss regain control and confidence over their lives. Each patient benefits from a personalized rehabilitation plan that may involve*:

• Rigorous rehabilitation five days a week for over three hours each day
• A team approach with care from a variety of specialists, including:
  
  • A board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician
  • Specialized nurses
  • Physical, occupational, speech, and/or recreational therapists
  • Psychologists who help patients deal with the emotional challenges that accompany amputation
  • Dieticians who teach patients about optimizing their nutrition to promote healing
  • Prosthetists who design, fit, and manufacture customized prostheses onsite
  • A care coordinator to help patients navigate surgery through prosthesis fitting and recovery
• Comprehensive rehabilitation services, including:

  • Patient-centered physical and occupational therapy designed to emphasize capabilities and overcome limitations

  • Wound care and medication management
  • Self-care regimens to prevent infections, skin ulcers, blood clots, and other medical complications
  • Education on diet and blood glucose control for patients with diabetes
  • Prosthetic training and fitting

  • Adaptive sports and fitness activities 

  • Recommendations for home modifications 
  • Durable medical equipment recommendations
  • Family training/caregiver training
  • Emergency preparedness
• Emotional support and resources, including peer mentors through MedStar NRH and Hanger's Peer Mentor program and inpatient support groups to help patients cope with their new condition. In addition, we're recognized as an Amputee Coalition Certified Hospital Partner, offering robust education and training for amputees and their families.

*Services may vary by location

Learn More About Inpatient Rehabilitation  ->

Preparing for discharge

After discharge from our inpatient program, many patients continue their training and therapy at one of our many outpatient sites located throughout the region. In addition, our team is always available for patients if they require modifications in their prostheses—a replacement limb—or other adaptive equipment to improve their quality of life.

Program outcomes

Learn about our patient outcomes below.

Amputee Rehabilitation Program Outcomes at MedStar NRH

Amputee Rehabilitation Program Outcomes at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

Our outpatient services are designed to help adults and adolescents with limb loss be as independent as possible at home, at work or school, and in the community. We deliver services using a coordinated team approach and write each patient’s treatment plan according to their personal needs and goals.

Patient care is managed by an interdisciplinary team which may include board-certified physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, prosthetists, and other rehabilitation professionals from MedStar Health. Our team specializes in working with individuals who have had amputations and assists patients in understanding and managing their unique physical, psychosocial, and daily living needs.

Program highlights

We offer specialized outpatient rehabilitation services for amputees at dozens of convenient locations throughout the region. Your outpatient visit includes examinations by a physician, prosthetist, and physical therapist. Through goal-oriented, outpatient therapy, our occupational and physical therapists specializing in amputee care provide assessment, education, and training in:

• Medical care, including pre-and post-amputation consultation for surgical patients
• Home accessibility recommendations

• Driving modifications

• Fabrication, fitting, and repair of prosthetics, orthotics, orthopedic shoes, and braces as needed

• Wheelchairs, assistive devices, and other equipment, as well as training in equipment use 

• Moving around with and without a prosthesis
• Adaptations in daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and home management
• Patient and family support for pain management needs

For assistance with getting back to work after your injury or illness, we can help link you with your state vocational rehabilitation agency.

The pioneering MedStar NRH Arm Amputee Program in Washington, D.C., helps patients who have suffered arm loss become independent through a variety of therapies and the latest technological advances, including robotics and adaptive equipment created to assist in activities of daily living and recreation.

Our goal is not only to provide medical treatment and physical rehabilitation but also to meet all the needs of our patients through rehabilitation that is uniquely tailored to the individual. 

The Arm Amputee Program is dedicated to:

• Providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to enable our patients to quickly return to their lives
• Utilizing the most advanced equipment and procedures to improve an individual's current function whenever possible
• Caring for patients beyond their physical needs through:
  
  • Sports and leisure equipment modification
  • Adaptive driving program
  • Resources for employment counseling
• Advancing the care of people with arm loss through clinical and scientific research
• Training the next generation of physicians, therapists, and orthotist

Support groups

Our Amputee Support Groups provide opportunities for patients to share their experiences with others living with limb loss. Contact our support group coordinators to find out more. 

Amputee Support Group at MedStar NRH 

NRH provides support in person and via zoom Please contact Jessica Eng, PT NCS at jessica.eng@medstar.net or 202-877-1447.  Please include in message an email address if interested in joining the support group at NRH.

Amputee Support Group at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
Contact Jennifer McDivitt, PT at 443-444-5304 or jennifer.mcdivitt@medstar.net

Additionally, MedStar NRH's Amputee program partners with Amputee Coalition to offer expertise, training curriculum, and patient education materials for peer support in our rehabilitation. Patients have the opportunity to become peer mentors (or mentees) to others who have lost a limb.

Many patients also take advantage of MedStar NRH’s active Adaptive Sports Program, which allows patients with a physical disability to build self-confidence, improve health and well-being, and gain greater independence through recreational and competitive sports.