Friday, November 8, 2024

Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize

Tony Barr

Some historical background on amputee surgery to share with subscribers.Thanks Don!

———-

Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 18:00:22

From: Donald G. Shurr

To: Tony Barr

Subject: Re: Barr Foundation trip to Belize

Tony

If you read the history of amputation surgery in the US in the 1960s and

even 1970s, the knee was sacrificed for the sake of wound healing.

The point has to be made to the government as to the “value” to both the

patient and the government to save the knee. Until then, the surgeons will

continue in their practice.

Don Shurr, CPO,PT

—–Original Message—–

From: Tony Barr

To: [email protected]

Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 2:59 PM

Subject: Barr Foundation trip to Belize

>Thought I may share these with fellow subscribers amps and practitioners:

>

>During my recent amputee assistance mission with the LEAP Foundation to

Belize Central America, I found it very interesting and sad that the

surgeons, contracted by the govt.,would more likely severe the limb above

the knee even though the infected area was in the lower extremity,even for

diabetic foot ulcers!! I was taken back by the numbers of a/k amputees as

the result of amputation surgery in an effort to stop the spreading of

diabetes or other vascualar/circulatory diseases that most often provide

warning in the lower extremeties.

>

>Apparently, this practice is to prevent the cost of another amputation in

the event the infection was not contained or eliminated from the first

operation.The way I understand the present system of surgical reimbursement

for medical amputation in Belize, as in Mexico and most other Central and

South American countries,government compensates the surgeon for the initial

amputation, not for subsequent amputations or prosthetic treatment of any

kind. Hence the decision to cut at a much higher level than may be

necessary!!!

>

>As the profession can attest ,fitting and successful prosthetic

rehabilitation of a b/k has a higher success rate and is more cost

effective than that of a a/k. But prosthetic cost matter’s not when there

is no coverage for any prosthetics or welfare system for amputees or the

disabled.

>

>In spite of the recently debated short comings of the U.S.A medicare O&P

policy, I quess everything is relative.

>We amps should count ourselfs lucky but not still not become satisfied with

no educational requirements for practitioners providing O&P services or

lack of proper O&P coverage.**

>

>

>** Support Congressman Robert Wexler’s (D-Fla) House Resolution 1938

introduced May 22,1999 and to be named :

> The William G. Barr Amputee Protection Act of 1999

>

>Thanks Tony

>

>

RECENT NEWS

Get unlimited access!

Join EDGE ADVANTAGE and unlock The O&P EDGE's vast library of archived content.

O&P JOBS

The O&P EDGE Magazine
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

The O&P EDGE Magazine
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?