Abstract:
This lecture will discuss the experiences at the Center for Intrepid located at Brooke
Army Medical Center (BAMC) providing rehabilitation of amputee soldiers. This is part
two of a series illustrating the prosthetic services, rehabilitation and research currently
underway at BAMC.
Case presentations will be utilized to illustrate the team approach to provide clinically
appropriate amputee rehabilitation. This cohesive effort includes surgical
considerations, early prosthetic fittings, long-term prosthetic care, rehabilitation
services, case management, physiological and social support services.
Prosthetic considerations will be presented, including combining the use of technology
and basic prosthetic principles. Special attention will focus on unique requirements of
traumatic amputations resulting from blast, gunshot, burn injuries, and high demands of
the young active users. All advanced systems have been fit at various levels of
amputation including fittings with patients who have undergone targeted muscle
reinnervation surgery. In addition to being one of the three primary prosthetic amputee
care centers, BAMC serves as the primary burn center for the Army worldwide.
