THE INFLUENCE OF CONCOMITANT DIAGNOSIS WHEN TREATING THE OLDER UPPER EXTREMITY AMPUTEE

When evaluating the older upper extremity amputee, there are often concomitant diagnoses that may influence rehabilitation goals. These conditions may either be ipsilateral or contralateral to the amputation, and significantly influence the amputee’s tolerance to prosthetic fitting and training. Decreasing strength and endurance are normal in the aging process and are usually obvious during an initial evaluation. There are other orthopedic conditions concomitant with amputation, which may be less obvious.