At The Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk our amputation specialists can assess an amputee’s residual limb and help determine if there are surgical options that could improve a person’s function. Whether someone chooses not to wear a prosthesis because of poor fit, or has never been able to wear a prosthesis, the physicians at the Extremities at Risk group will provide consultation to help determine options to improve function.

Our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist is a world expert in amputee rehabilitation, and provides consultation regarding optimal prosthetic fit, ideal residual limb length and shape and prosthetic design. In addition, he is an integral voice in rehabilitation following prosthetic fitting.

Our plastic surgeons have expertise in soft tissue procedures to reconstruct the residual limb for improved prosthetic wear. Procedures include muscle transfer for improved ability to power a prosthetic device, or soft tissue grafting to provide better cushioning between the limb and the prosthesis, or to address skin breakdown. In addition, there could be need to remove extra (redundant) tissue that is making prosthetic fit difficult.

Our orthopedic surgeons provide consultation to determine if there is a more optimal length of the residual limb. Many orthopedic surgeons have expertise at shortening the limb but the surgeons at Extremities at Risk have demonstrated success in lengthening a residual limb to allow better prosthetic fit.

For an example of reconstruction for an upper extremity amputee click here.