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6.5.2 OBJECTIVE TWO
To evaluate physical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitative care rendered to the
amputees in the hospitals.
6.5.2.1 PHYSICAL REHABILITAnON
It is the responsibility of the rehabilitation team to educate the patients about physical
rehabilitation before they are discharged. This facilitates active participation of patients in
their care as well as independence after discharge. This was mostly done in their hospitals
since there were no community rehabilitation centres. Physical rehabilitation ofthe amputees
included care ofthe stump and care ofthe prosthesis.
6.5.2.1.1 CARE OF THE STUMP
The activities or procedures involved in the care ofthe stump were:
• Wound cares.
• Stump bandaging for coning the stump.
• Massage ofthe stump.
• Stump positioning.
• Stump exercise.
Teaching amputees about all these activities is very important because they are discharged
before the stumps have healed completely; therefore discharge preparation should commence
while amputees are still in the hospitals.
• This study revealed that the majority ofthe amputees (20) 80% were educated about
woundeare.
• Fifteen (IS) 60% amputees were educated about stump care.
• Fourteen (14) S6% ofamputees were educated about stump massage.
• Ten (10) 40% amputees were educated about positioning ofthe stump.
• Ten (10) 40% amputees were given health education on exercises oftbe stump.
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