The need for orthotic or prosthetic care is often preceded by a serious injury or major surgery. In these more acute cases, people may be fitted with a cervical collar, halo or other orthotic device immediately following surgery or while still hospitalized. In cases of surgical amputation, some patients will have Immediate Post Operative Care (IPOCare) where a socket or rigid dressing is placed on the limb in the first few hours or days following surgery. It is generally the physician who determines the orthotic or prosthetic treatment protocol to be used immediately after acute injury or surgery.
There are several possibilities for IPOCare. A rigid dressing (RD) placed on the residual limb can prevent flexion of the knee, helps manage edema (swelling), and protects the surgical site. A removable rigid dressing (RRD) simply means it can be taken off and placed back on so the surgical site can be more carefully monitored. Hanger has developed a type of post-operative dressing which is a transparent silicone liner covered by an adjustable and removable rigid cast. By removing the outer rigid cast, the residual limb can be examined through the transparent liner, while leaving it in place to provide continuous support and compression. Another option is an immediate post-operative prosthesis that is applied in the operating room or shortly following surgery. This prosthesis is a complete limb: an upper or lower extremity socket with all appropriate components attached. Research has shown that people who wear an immediate post-operative prosthesis are more optimistic and tend to recover more quickly. If you are facing a scheduled surgical amputation, this is a good option to discuss with your physician and your prosthetist.