A bilateral below-knee amputation, or BKAs, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of both your lower legs. It’s a serious surgery with high risks and significant rehabilitation afterward. When you have bilateral below-knee amputations, it’s important to focus on post-op care and rehabilitation in order to recover faster and return to normal daily activities.
In this blog post, we will discuss proper post-op care and rehabilitation after bilateral below-knee amputations in order for you to get back on your feet as soon as possible!
Table of Contents
Why is it necessary to have proper post-op care and rehabilitation after a below-knee amputation?
Proper post-op care and rehabilitation after bilateral below-knee amputations are important to ensure that you recover faster.
You should also make sure you do bilateral below-knee amputation rehab exercises to get your body used to use prosthetic limbs.
There are some useful bilateral below-knee amputation rehabilitation tips that can help you in your recovery process, including staying positive and knowing the proper bilateral below-knee amputations exercise routines for a quick return to your normal daily activities.
Proper bilateral below-knee amputation rehabilitation after surgery will help you return to your normal routines faster, which is why it’s important for patients with bilateral below-knee amputations to properly care for themselves during this time period.
It may seem intimidating at first but proper bilateral below-knee amputation rehab can help you get back to your normal daily activities faster.
Proper bilateral below-knee amputation rehabilitation can be accomplished with the right bilateral below-knee amputations exercise routines and patience.
In order for a patient with bilateral below-knee amputees to recover from their surgery quickly, they must follow proper post-op care and bilateral below-knee amputation rehab.
Post bilateral below-knee amputee care and rehabilitation are important for a successful recovery from bilateral below-knee amputations, including the ability to get back to your normal daily activities faster.
So if you’ve had bilateral below-knee amputation surgery recently, there are some helpful bilateral below-knee amputation rehabilitation tips, including bilateral below-knee amputee exercises to speed up the recovery process.
This is because proper bilateral below-knee amputations rehab will help prevent possible complications from occurring during your bilateral below-knee amputations surgery and post bilateral below-knee amputation care.
Read: Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
Common guidelines to follow during the rehabilitation after below-knee amputation.
What happens after a below-the-knee amputation? What to expect from a recovery period after a below-knee amputation? What should below-knee amputation post-op care and rehabilitation include? These are some of the questions you should keep in mind if you or someone close to you is preparing for a below-knee amputation.
These types of surgeries can be challenging and hard on your body; it takes time to recover from them. However, with proper care and rehabilitation after below-knee amputation surgery, patients can speed up their recovery process and enjoy a better quality of life.
Below-knee amputation rehabilitation is basically divided into three stages: pre-operative, immediate postoperative or acute phase (immediately after the surgery), and long-term prosthetic care.
Pre-op Care This means planning before your below knee amputation surgery. Properly preparing your body for a below-knee amputation surgery is very important. It involves eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly in order to minimize the risks of cardiovascular problems during surgery.
Pre-op care should also include learning about your upcoming surgery and prepping yourself mentally for it as much as possible while at the same time preparing family members or friends involved in your post-op rehabilitation for what to expect during the next few months.
Immediate Postoperative Phase The immediate phase after below-knee amputation surgery is very critical; it lasts about two days and involves controlling pain, preventing blood clots from forming in your leg, making sure that you have no open wounds or sores, managing and controlling your bleeding and making sure that you will not get an infection.
Long-Term Phase The long term rehabilitation after below-knee amputation surgery is very important for both physical and psychological recovery. It involves learning to walk on crutches, practicing with a prosthetic device (if one was fitted), exercising regularly in order to increase muscle strength and prevent blood clots from forming, as well as learning about how to properly care for your new prosthesis.
Although below-knee amputation rehabilitation usually lasts up to six months or more after surgery, the overall recovery time may be shorter than that if you engage in a daily exercise routine and practice with your prosthetic device regularly.
Read: Common Misconceptions About Spine Surgery
What kind of therapists do below-knee amputees need? How can professional therapists help patients after a below-knee amputation?
Your therapist may include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and possibly an orthotist. The below-knee amputee will need to work closely with the surgeon and prosthetist (the person who makes your custom leg or limb) as well throughout the rehabilitation process. You can expect about three months of professional therapy before you’re fitted for a prosthetic leg.
Professional therapists can help the below-knee amputee by:
Bilateral Below Knee Amputation Rehabilitation – Providing bilateral training after bilateral BK amputations, with emphasis on symmetry and ambulation patterns.
Below knee amputation rehab – Assisting in activities of daily living (ADLs) and strengthening muscles for better ambulation after bilateral below-knee amputation.
Rehabilitation of the patient with below-knee amputation – Providing information on techniques to prevent loss of balance, falls, injuries, circulation problems, disuse osteoporosis, or muscle atrophy.
Bilateral Below Knee Amputation Rehabilitation
Prosthetic devices are custom-made for each bilateral below-knee amputee. Bilateral training after bilateral BK amputations, with emphasis on symmetry and ambulation patterns is needed to achieve optimal function of the prosthesis.
Below knee amputation rehab
Assisting in activities of daily living (ADLs) and strengthening muscles for better ambulation after bilateral below-knee amputations are two major roles that a physical therapist can provide. Physical therapy may start with an evaluation, diagnosis, treatment/intervention planning to achieve goals set by the below-knee amputee.
Rehabilitation of the patient with bilateral below-knee amputation
Your physical therapist will provide you information on techniques to prevent loss of balance, falls, injuries, circulation problems, disuse osteoporosis, or muscle atrophy – all common concerns for bilateral below-knee amputees who are trying to return to their normal daily activities. Providing bilateral training after bilateral BK amputations, with emphasis on symmetry and ambulation patterns is recommended in this stage of recovery.
Below knee amputation rehabilitation
Activities that will help your below-knee amputee rehab include walking (with or without prosthesis), stair climbing, balance exercises, bilateral weight-bearing activities, and resistance training. It is important to keep your below-knee muscles strong so they continue to do their job even though you have an amputated leg.
If you are a bilateral amputee or if the person in your care has bilateral lower limb loss, physical therapy can help guide them through the bilateral below-knee amputation rehabilitation process.
In this blog post, we’ve discussed the basics of what you need to know about amputation. We hope our advice can help people who are going through a below-knee amputation find peace and happiness in their lives again after surgery. If you or someone close to you is dealing with an amputation, please reach out for help from Everest Rehabilitation Hospitals Specialty programs and services that will provide personalized care tailored to your needs during rehabilitation.
What questions do you have? Do any of these quotes resonate with how you feel right now? Let us know!