I would like the benefit of your collective advice on this one please. a
recent patient is in rehab awaiting prosthetic fitting; between the tim eof
casting and fitting, he has developed a wound breakdown at the drain site.
I now have the prosthesis ready to go and there is some (understandable)
reluctance on behalf of the rehab nurses for him to actually commence his
wearing/walking because of their fear that the lesion will be aggravated.
This situation has been a recurring one with several new amps. Is there any
literature or other evidence that will indicate whether we should get these
people up on the legs regardless; should we wait (perhaps sending them home
until a full healing occurs)? Do we dress the lesion with a thin dresssing
to protect it and continue with usual rehab? I need something to show to
the Nursing/rehab staff here so that they can see how others do things.
Hope that you can help.
Richard Ziegeler P & O
E.C.A.T
