Regaining Independence and a Sense of Self
Veteran Eugene Tillman and Physical Therapist Lindsay Crowell work in the Amputee Clinic to restore Tillman's sense of balance.
An amputation, it’s one of worst things that can happen to a person. Whether from combat or disease, losing a limb is traumatic, life-altering and permanent. For the rest of their lives Veterans who have lost limbs will have unique, complex and ever-changing health care needs. The Medical Center’s Amputee Clinic’s multidisciplinary team stands ready to provide support through every stage of the Veteran’s healing process.
Using a holistic (whole person) approach, the Amputation Clinic team provides services at different stages of the Veteran’s life: from inpatient care for those who’ve recently lost a limb, to rehabilitation, podiatry, vascular services, prosthetic fittings, and outpatient care.
The multidisciplinary team is part of the Veterans Health Administration Amputation System of Care (ASoC) and includes in-house physiatrists, physical therapists and prosthetists (those who fabricate limbs) as well as other specialists brought in as needed on an individualized basis.
According to Dr. Philip Marion, the Polytrauma Amputation Network Site’s Medical Director for the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, having specialists under one roof is a big benefit. “Not only is it more convenient to have all the specialties under one roof, especially for those who have mobility issues, it also means better care.”
“Say we have a Veteran who is having an issue with his prosthetic, we don’t have to wait on an outside vendor and send the Veteran back and forth for multiple appointments,” said Dr. Marion. The prosthetists, therapists and Veterans are able to work closely together to quickly maximize the prosthetic’s fit and function.”
A big part of the team’s job is to help Veterans regain and keep a sense of self and independence as they heal from the physical and emotional trauma that comes from such a profound loss. Educational programs such as driver’s rehabilitation and monthly support groups help restore independence and provide emotional support.
Amputee Rehabilitation Coordinator and physical therapist Lindsay Crowell, says the Amputee Support Group is a vital component of recovery. The support group meets the first Wednesday of every month at noon in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation occupational therapy clinic. Dr. Crowell says the group helps Veterans come to terms with the physical, emotional and social aspects of their loss. “Never underestimate the power of camaraderie,” she said. “They realize they are stronger than they knew.”
The Amputee Clinic team has been improving the lives of Veterans who have lost limbs for the past five years and is now expanding its services beyond the walls of the medical center with the use of telehealth. The Amputee Clinic recently stood up a monthly Amputee Telehealth Clinic at Fort Belvoir, Va., where Veterans can meet with their specialists over a secure video line. The team also has plans to expand the Amputee Telehealth Clinic to other VA community clinics in the area as well as one day providing telehealth services to amputees in the home.
For more information about the Amputee Telehealth Clinic or the Amputee Support Group, contact Lindsay Crowell, 202-745-8000 ext. 57613.
