Did you know...

• The number of people who have an amputation and use a prosthesis is expected to rise by at least 47% by the year 2020.
• The total number of people with paralysis, deformity or orthopedic impairments is expected to increase by 25% by the year 2020.
• Each dollar spent on rehabilitation saves $11 which would be required for alternative methods and responses.

Rehabilitative prosthetic care is highly recommended for patients with limb loss by our nurses. It is finally being recognized in cost containment.Just this past month, I have worked with an insurance carrier to authorize inpatient rehabilitation for a patient with a below the knee amputation. The patient is highly motivated and anxious to use his new leg. Unfortunately the insurance company has delayed authorization for this integral part of his rehabilitation.

Now the patient is forced to learn to walk on his own with the prosthesis. He has learned to don the device and walk, but at what cost? Bad habits take an increased length of time to break (if ever). Left to his own devices he is likely to lose motivation and give up. An impaired gait can result in unnecessary wear and tear on other joints such as the hip, knee, and even the spine. A few falls while trying to learn to use his prosthesis on his own could result in more injury and more costs.

My job is to keep my patients as active and healthy as possible. Sometimes it means the insurance company needs to spend some money to obtain the proper care for an individual to prevent future medical costs.