Patients can find mutual support through activities, as well as the sharing of personal experiences and challenges. Patients may consider joining the Amputee Support Group, founded by Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital, Care and Counselling Department and Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre. Caregivers are also taught to look out for signs of depression that may include emotional instability, unwillingness to communicate, worsening physical conditions, and a general sense of hopelessness or apathy towards medical conditions.Ĭommunity support can also help with the recovery process. They provide wound care if patients are unable to do so, and physical assistance so they can move around, as well as emotional support. “He immediately made plans to make their home wheelchair-friendly and was most encouraging during his wife’s rehabilitation journey.”Ĭaregivers are the primary companions who journey alongside patients in the recovery process. Dr Chandrasekar cites the example of a patient who was “extremely positive” despite the prospect of losing her leg, as she had a very supportive husband. How far patients can go depends on their own motivation and social support from families or caregivers. “Depending on the extent of the amputation and the patient’s physical ability, it is possible to reintegrate into the community, or even return to work,” says Ms Rie Nagai, Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist at the TTSH Foot Care and Limb Design Centre. They must also learn to walk with their prosthetic limbs, and training can take up to eight physiotherapy sessions. Patients who require prostheses will undergo training for strengthening, balance and mobility exercises. Some disciplines involved in recovery include: The goal is to help patients regain some form of independence. Post-operation patients are looked after by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team which focuses on helping patients manage their diabetes more effectively, as well as improving their mobility. “Having the rehabilitation team explain how we can help patients regain some mobility and independence gives them hope to push forward following their operations,” says Dr Chandrasekar.Ī Collective Effort - Recovering from Limb Amputations Doctors, physiotherapists and prosthetists/orthotists also help to map out potential rehabilitation plans based on the patient’s personal goals after an operation. In cases where an amputation is unavoidable, the healthcare team provides pre-operation counselling and psychological support. Unfortunately, most patients only come to the hospital as an emergency after their wounds become severely infected and sepsis has set in,” he explains. “Early detection and treatment are critical in preventing amputations. Vascular surgeons only consider major amputations - removal of the leg above or below the knee - as a last resort after wound treatment or limb-salvage techniques are unsuccessful, says Dr Glenn Tan, Consultant for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at TTSH. According to research by the National Healthcare Group (NHG) Health Services and Outcomes Research (HSOR) department, Singapore has one of the highest rates of lower limb amputations due to diabetes, in the world. The Ministry of Health estimates that four amputation procedures are carried out daily in Singapore. Dead tissue must then be removed to prevent further spread of infection and blood poisoning. This toxic combination leads to a high risk of untreated sores on their feet, which can get infected and eventually turn gangrenous. Patients are also often unable to feel pain. Severe diabetes causes damage to nerve and blood vessels, resulting in loss of feeling and poor circulation. Limb amputations are usually necessary for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes. “Many lose hope that they will ever be able to live a meaningful life again after amputation.”Ĭomplications Resulting from Poor Diabetes Management ![]() “Patients struggle most with the potential loss of independence after losing a limb, so their first instinct is to reject the operation,” says Dr Sadhana Chandrasekar, Senior Consultant and Vascular Surgeon at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)’s General Surgery Department. Others are unable to accept the thought of an amputation and refuse treatment altogether. ![]() One patient refused to look at her amputated limb for weeks and only allowed the healthcare team to dress her wound if her leg was shielded from her sight with a blanket.
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