The LEAP (Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention) program is a program designed to reduce the risk of lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetes, Hansen’s disease (leprosy), and other conditions that cause decreased circulation and sensation to patient’s feet.
The LEAP program advocates five simple measures to prevent loss of limb. These activities are 1) annual foot screening, 2) patient education, 3) daily self inspection of the feet, 4) appropriate selection of footwear, and 5) proper management of simple foot problems.
Source: Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hrsa.gov/leap/
Thumb Replantation Following Thumb Amputation
In a study done from 1974 to 1993, 384 thumb amputations were treated and 110 great toe-to-thumb transplantations were performed. The results: “Amputated thumbs should be replanted. When replantation is not possible or unsuccessful, a transplanted great toe functions as well, or better than, a transplanted thumb”.
Buncke, G., Buncke, H., & Rosson, G. (October, 2008). Great Toe Transplant versus Thumb Replant for Isolated Thumb Amputation: Critical Analysis of Functional Outcome. Microsurgery, 2008 Oct 8. http://www.ncbI.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18846572?dept=Abstract
Life Is Not Over After Amputation
Wounded Warrior military personnel and the Amputee Firefighters Association participated in the 2nd annual Airborne Amputee skydiving event, sponsored by the Amputee and Prosthetic Center of Houston. The goal of the event is to show the extraordinary care soldiers are receiving and to show that there is, indeed, life after amputation.
http://www.airborneamputee.com/
Phantom Pain
Phantom limb syndrome, or pain from amputation that lingers for years after the amputation occurs, is the goal of a study by Emma Duerden, a graduate student of the Universite de Montreal. She is inviting amputees to share their stories for a major study.
Duerden is interested in furthering understanding of why amputees retain the memory of pain after suffering an amputation. Her goal is to study organizational changes in the brain and how sensory memory becomes distorted. The goal of the study is to help patients reorganize their brain activity to decrease their levels of pain.
Source: University of Montreal (2008, May 14). Phantom in the Brain: Pain After Amputation. Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512105712.php
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