Amputees and effective rehabilitation

Chadwick Lawrence has a specialist department acting for individuals who have suffered a significant injury due to Clinical Negligence commonly known as Medical Negligence.

We have represented and continue to act for individuals who having suffered an injury have sadly resulted in the amputation of a limb that could have been prevented.

NHS England published a document in March 2016 ‘Commissioning Guidance for Rehabilitation’. In summary the document outlines:
•what rehabilitation is, i.e. scope, breadth and depth
•the components of good quality rehabilitation
•how to know whether the services that are being commissioned are of good quality
•how to compare rehabilitation services locally, regionally and nationally.

NHS England identifies that rehabilitation involves working in partnership with the person and those important to them so that they can maximize their potential and independence, and have choice and control over their own lives. It is increasingly acknowledged that effective rehabilitation delivers better outcomes and improved quality of life………

Unfortunately, although our clients do have access to the NHS rehabilitation services, the NHS is stretched and the amputee’s time is limited with the physiotherapist, usually there are multiple patients being treated at once in a large amputee class, and not on a one to one basis. Although such sessions do offer the individual the benefit of meeting and working alongside other amputees this type of system lacks sustaining individual assessment and care as the clinicians are often only able to afford individuals small amounts of individual treatment during each session. The longer period of inactivity that the amputee endures, the longer that individual would remain sedentary in the wheelchair, the body then becomes deconditioned and the harder it will be for him/her to achieve the maximum ambulatory potential.

Our clients’ tell us that the prosthesis provided by the NHS is usually cumbersome and heavy, which is not untypical. It usually consists of a belt that has to be worn around the waist. The reality is that the sooner our client is given the opportunity to undergo an appropriate rehabilitation and maximum intensity of physical activity, including the use of an optimal prosthesis, the greater chance the individual has of returning to being a regular user of the prosthesis. Our prosthetic experts can recommend the necessary prosthesis which is custom made for our client. The prosthesis would be made in terms of a socket design and fit, prosthetic knee and foot technology, our clients’ benefits from private rehabilitation training and input. Once given this opportunity to progress with optimal prosthetic componentry and rehabilitation process, the more chance there is of harnessing our clients’ enthusiasm and determination for engaging in the process and gaining some independence.

The custom made prostheses has a socket suspended from a seal in liner which has a dual function in that it will offer a comfortable interface of silicone between the individual’s residual limb skin and the hard internal surface of the prosthesis. The suction seal allows the prosthesis to be held securely in place.

There is no belt, which vastly improves the comfort of the prosthesis, it also reduces the inconvenience of our clients donning and doffing the NHS prosthesis. Our clients’ have remarked that through accessing rehabilitation with the private physiotherapist, it has brought them on in leaps and bounds. They have seen significant improvements in their mobility, independence and ability to use the prosthesis to the greatest extent and safety in the first week of the intensive physiotherapy session. Residential rehabilitation is usually recommended which consists of a comprehensive intense course of inter-disciplinary rehabilitation to fast track clients to their goals.

Gait re-education and learning how to get the most out of a prosthetic limb is a huge part of the rehabilitation course and teaches clients how to optimize their function to suit their lifestyle and personal goals, with the assistance of an experienced team of clinicians. Our clients can then practice at home and thus continue to progress with their fitness and lead an independent lifestyle as best as they can.

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on our dedicated free phone number 0800 304 738.

Article prepared by Carol J Simpson, Associate, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (carolsimpson@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.