The Combined Plastic Surgery/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Amputee Clinic At the University of Western Ontario

Since the autumn of 2001, a multidisciplinary plastic surgery (PS) and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) outpatient amputee clinic has been in place at St Joseph's Health Centre/Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario. To date, more than 140 new patients have been seen in combined consultations. The present paper reviews the demographics, interventions and outcomes of the patients seen between 2001 and 2005. The majority of primary PMR patients had problems that prevented optimal use of their lower extremity prostheses. These problems included nonhealing pressure ulcers, infections, painful neuromas, amputation stump shape abnormalities and fixed joint contractures. Most patients had surgical intervention. In terms of overall clinical success, 53% of the PMR patients and 77% of the PS patients had their problems resolved. The multidisciplinary collaboration in the PS/PMR outpatient amputee clinic provides a unique service that benefits upper and lower extremity amputees.