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July 2005 • Vol. 1, No. 2
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Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic
Care Through Knowledge
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Authors: Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD; Mark Edwards, CP; Nicole T. Soltys, BS
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Since 1991, prosthetists have had a number
of well-written booklets, pamphlets
and other instructional materials at their
disposal to meet the educational needs
of soon-to-be or new amputees, as the amputees
begin their rehabilitation. Although not a
complete inventory and including one of the
booklets to be reviewed, I count four different
literary efforts for the below-knee amputee alone
that the Academy has made available in the last
14 years. The two booklets published by the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) are
written for above-knee or below-knee amputees.
For the purpose of this review, the two booklets
will be considered as one because most of the
text, graphics, and editing is the same, with a
few chapters devoted to the different exercises and component
options for the respective levels.
The first question any prosthetist would want to ask about
supplying such written material is whether the amputee really
derives any value from reading it. Will “judging the book by
the cover” scare or intimidate the reader? I have found that
many times the amputee may not be the one who reads it,
but rather a family member or friend. The family member or
friend becomes a resource to the amputee and lessens some of
the learning burden in the beginning. So the answer to “Will
the amputee derive any value from this?” is “yes,” as long as
the information is succinct, positive, contemporary, and hits
a broad spectrum of topics. The “tried-and-true” topics that
educate an amputee about hygiene, wrapping of the limb,
reasons for amputations, functional outcomes, reimbursement,
and sports have been included in these booklets, plus several
chapters related to physical therapy and other topics.
Critically thinking about any literature you wish to hand
out with the above question in mind, the publishers created
an 8.5”x 11” or magazine-style layout. That makes it easy to
handle; the pages fl ip open easily to showcase the many photos
(albeit black and white) that catch the eye and invite the reader
to start reading anywhere in the book. That feature alone makes
the emotional aspect of reading a “guide” less formal and breaks
down resistance to what might be perceived as a very difficult or technical book to understand. The chapters are broken up
by large, separate paragraphs with photos intermingled for the
more technical sections.
What may be the best introduction I have read in any
booklet says: “Whatever the cause of your amputation, you are
not alone. While your experience of limb loss is unique to your
own situation, many others have successfully overcome the
loss of a limb and regained mobility and a positive attitude.”
Persons opening this booklet and reading that opening line
should be inspired to continue reading and overcome the fear
that may be holding them back either as a friend, a family
member, or the amputees themselves.
My recommendation is to use this booklet in conjunction
with previous booklets written by other knowledgeable and
gifted prosthetists. Each author owes some of his or her success
to previous authors, and all the preceding books since 1991
are, while different, still relevant. Not all of your readers will
respond to these new RIC booklets; they may like a physically
smaller type, line drawings, or style of writing of the preceding
editions. If you have room for only one set, this newest version
on the old theme would accomplish the goal of educating the
amputees in your care.
Pat Peick, CPO, Clinical Director
New England Brace Company
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