Our team provides treatment to adults over the age of 18 years. We are specialist in providing assessment and treatment to outpatients who have had lower limb amputation.
Overview
The service is led by Specialist Physiotherapists; this means that we can provide you with the most effective treatment for your problem.
We work closely with the Disablement Services Centre (DSC) at Newcastle Freeman Royal Hospital, to support you through early rehabilitation, early prosthetic rehabilitation and to work towards achieving your goals with prosthetic wear.
Referral
You are able to access physiotherapy with a referral from:
- Your GP
- South Tyneside and Sunderland Consultant, Specialist Nurse or Therapist
- DSC specialist therapy team
Finding us
Lower limb amputee Physiotherapy Outpatient Services provide therapy that is predominantly hospital based and includes home based therapy on a needs basis.
The amputee clinic runs weekly on a Thursday afternoon 13.00-16.00.
Should you need a boost to your clinic treatment you may also be offered an appointment on a different weekday.
Sunderland Royal Hospital: Entrance 8
Core Hours: Monday – Friday: 08.30 – 16.30
Your first appointment
Your first appointment is an assessment by a qualified Physiotherapist. We will discuss how you have been since discharge from hospital and explain the rehabilitation process. We will also discuss your long term goals and expectations.
The first appointment will be approximately 60 minutes; follow up appointments will be shorter than this.
Please bring with you:
- List of current medication
- Medication and refreshments you need in case of an unforeseen delay
- Some patients find it useful to write a few questions in advance of the appointment
- Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing and supportive footwear
- Blood sugar testing kit if you are diabetic
Conditions
Lower Limb Amputation
The cause of lower limb amputation is varied but can be as a result of trauma, peripheral vascular disease, secondary to diabetes or elective as a result of congenital abnormality. Some medical conditions and some lifestyle choices can increase the risk of amputation.
Depending on the cause of your amputation you may be advised to remain in a wheelchair initially or you may be given a pair of crutches to assist your mobility. Crutches are not suitable for everyone so you should only use these if you have been assessed and provided with crutches from a physiotherapist.
It is important that both of your legs are kept strong and flexible. You will have been advised by physiotherapists in the hospital about positioning your amputated leg, exercises to maintain range of movement in your joints and to strengthen the muscles in both legs. You should try and do these exercises regularly throughout the course of your rehabilitation. Your exercises will be reviewed when you attend your outpatient appointment.
If you have had an amputation of one leg it is very important that you care for your remaining leg through informed lifestyle choices and careful activity.
Management: In association with the Disablement Service Centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle treatment includes assessment to establish if you will manage with prosthesis.
Physiotherapy: We work in co-ordination with other health professionals regarding wound management and pressure care. Physiotherapy treatments include:
- Muscle strengthening
- Transfers with or without aids
- Walking rehabilitation
- Balance re-education
Useful links:
If you are struggling to come to terms with your amputation or need more information please let a member of the team know. You can access specialist psychological support via the DSC if you need help coming to terms with your amputation.
Newcastle DSC: Amputee Rehabilitation and Prosthetics
Disablement Services Centre: 0191 2231184
Useful smoking cessation links:
If you are currently smoking you should consider stopping as this greatly increases the risk to your remaining leg and general health which could limit your ability to succeed with a prosthetic limb.
Sunderland NHS Specialist Stop Smoking Service
FRESH: a dedicated programme to tackle smoking in the North East.
NHS Smoke Free: offers Quit Kits, face-to-face support, a mobile app, and email and text support
NHS choices: offers information on how to stop smoking and the benefits you'll enjoy:
ASH: is a public health charity focused on eliminating the harm caused by tobacco:
Sunderland smoking cessation service: 5671057
Useful Diabetes links:
If you have diabetes it is important that your sugars are as stable as possible to keep you in the best physical fitness for rehabilitation. You may be required to monitor your blood sugars during physiotherapy sessions to ensure that rehabilitation is not having a negative effect.
