Rehabilitation following amputation.

  • Great Britain. Ministry of Pensions.
Date:
[1954]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rehabilitation following amputation. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/28 (page 15)
    The exercises detailed below are designed primarily for single amputa- tion above the knee, but with few exceptions are of value also for amputa- tions below the knee. Before much walking is attempted, balance should be acquired and the hardening up of the weight bearing tissues effected. Figs. 39 and 40. Walking within the “overhead parallel bars,’’ this exercise develops balance and an erect spine. (b) As above but marking time, raising each leg in turn well above the floor, and gradually extending the period during which each leg is raised. In a short time the patient will be touching the overhead rails but lightly, and finally can perform the exercise without touching the rails. (c) When the patient has mastered the above exercises, he progresses from marking time to walking with the ‘“‘Overhead Parallel Bars’ rack for which he uses the Kick and Mark system, sliding the hands lightly along the overhead bars as he walks. Start with the artificial leg slightly behind the other, swing it forward freely with the stump, bringing the heel sharply to the ground, and extend the artificial knee by pressing the stump to the back of the socket.