Occupational Therapy and the Lower Limb Amputee in Western Australia

Abstract

This article gives an account of the provision of occupational therapy for tower limb amputees at a general hospital with an elderly population in Western Australia. The occupational therapist is a member of both the surgical and the prosthetic teams. This allows each patient to be followed through from admission to discharge and responsibility is continued for the amputee at home. The occupational therapy programme is described with particular reference to the structure of the health system and its implications for therapy; the occupational therapist's role on the surgical and prosthetic teams; the provision of aids including temporary equipment issued for weekend leave; and the occupational therapist's role in functional retraining, education, home visiting and support.