Jamaica Hospital Rehabilitation
Physical rehabilitation is incredibly important for people who have lost a limb. This loss can significantly impact your ability to function daily, preventing you from performing a variety of physical activities and tasks ranging from mundane, everyday needs, such as bathing or cooking, to more demanding activities, such as jogging or lifting weights. However, with prosthetics and orthotics, combined with physical therapy and other treatments, you can learn to adapt to your injury and remain functional, active, and healthy.
There are many different types of prosthetics available to compensate for a lost limb; the type you may need depends on several factors, including your age, weight, and overall health. Your prosthetic limb can be customized to fit your specific needs. Certain types of injuries, such as the loss of an arm or hand, may warrant more advanced prosthetics; newer models can interface with your nervous system in a way that can allow you to regain fine motor skills such as finger movement.
If you’re considering getting a prosthetic limb, you’ll receive care and guidance from a comprehensive team of rehabilitation specialists, including a prosthetist/orthotist with extensive knowledge of the full range of prosthetic options.
An orthosis is commonly referred to as a brace or a splint. This allows the joint to heal or enables it to be used in function. E.g. an ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) is a brace that is applied to the foot of a person who is unable to use it effectively to walk. This brace provides stability and improves the function of the foot to allow efficient ambulation.
Your physical rehabilitation team will help you better understand your options and needs based on your level of disability and other medical circumstances.
Although the loss of a limb can significantly disrupt your life, a prosthetic limb can improve your ability to adapt to this loss and expand the types of activities and tasks you can continue to perform. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a NYC prosthetic limb specialist, please call Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Rehabilitation at (718) 206-7140.