Early Acute Care Rehabilitation Following Bilateral Dysvascular Transtibial Amputation
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Background: Dysvascular lower extremity amputation is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). While rehabilitation outcomes for unilateral transtibial amputees are well described, limited literature exists regarding early acute care intervention following bilateral transtibial amputation.
Case Description/ Purpose: The case report describes acute care rehabilitation following bilateral transtibial amputation secondary to vascular compromise. The patient was a 66-year-old female post right transtibial amputation with prior left transtibial amputation three months earlier. Her medical history included DM, PAD, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. On initial evaluation, she scored 8/24 on the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) "6-clicks" Basic Mobility assessment, indicating severe impairments in functional mobility Interventions: The patient participated in five physical therapy sessions over a nine-day hospitalization. Interventions emphasized contracture prevention, therapeutic exercise, seated balance training, transfer training, wheelchair mobility, and patient education.
Outcomes: At discharge, her AM-PAC score improved to 11/24. Functional improvements included progression from moderate to contact guard assistance for rolling, maximum to minimum assistance for supine-to-sit transfers, moderate to standby assistance for dynamic sitting balance, and completion of 58 feet of wheelchair propulsion. The patient was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation for continued therapy.
Discussion: Early acute care rehabilitation contributed to measurable improvements in functional mobility. This case highlights the role of early mobilization in optimizing outcomes for patients followin g bilateral dysvascular transtibial amputation.
Recommended Citation
Tate, Trystian, "Early Acute Care Rehabilitation Following Bilateral Dysvascular Transtibial Amputation" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 38.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/38
Early Acute Care Rehabilitation Following Bilateral Dysvascular Transtibial Amputation
Background: Dysvascular lower extremity amputation is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). While rehabilitation outcomes for unilateral transtibial amputees are well described, limited literature exists regarding early acute care intervention following bilateral transtibial amputation.
Case Description/ Purpose: The case report describes acute care rehabilitation following bilateral transtibial amputation secondary to vascular compromise. The patient was a 66-year-old female post right transtibial amputation with prior left transtibial amputation three months earlier. Her medical history included DM, PAD, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. On initial evaluation, she scored 8/24 on the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) "6-clicks" Basic Mobility assessment, indicating severe impairments in functional mobility Interventions: The patient participated in five physical therapy sessions over a nine-day hospitalization. Interventions emphasized contracture prevention, therapeutic exercise, seated balance training, transfer training, wheelchair mobility, and patient education.
Outcomes: At discharge, her AM-PAC score improved to 11/24. Functional improvements included progression from moderate to contact guard assistance for rolling, maximum to minimum assistance for supine-to-sit transfers, moderate to standby assistance for dynamic sitting balance, and completion of 58 feet of wheelchair propulsion. The patient was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation for continued therapy.
Discussion: Early acute care rehabilitation contributed to measurable improvements in functional mobility. This case highlights the role of early mobilization in optimizing outcomes for patients followin g bilateral dysvascular transtibial amputation.