Abstract
Introduction. This case report addressed the importance of redesigning and implementing recreational physical fitness as part of the current intervention treatment for people living with lower extremity amputations to improve their overall quality of life. Background. Amputation places a heavy burden on all aspects of the patient’s quality of life; thus, altering the patient’s physical, psychosocial, mental, and emotional health. Many physical therapists are not included in the entire nine-step rehabilitation protocol currently administered in civilian care. The nine-step rehabilitation stages proposed by Esquenazi and DiGiacomo (2001), include: pre-operative care, amputation/dressing, acute post-surgical, pre-prosthetic, prosthetic fabrication/prescription, prosthetic training, community integration, vocational rehabilitation, and follow-up care. Currently, physical therapists are involved during amputation, acute post-surgical, and pre-prosthetic phases. Case Description. The patient was a 19 year old female who sustained multiple injuries in a head-on motor vehicle accident (MVA); ultimately, resulting in a right trans-femoral amputation. This report analyzed various information received including structured interview, observation, and medical documentation to describe the patient’s plan of care from intensive care treatment through current recreational fitness activity. Results. The results of this case report indicated greatly improved physical, mental, and emotional health following the implementation of recreational physical fitness into her daily regimen via patient self-report on multiple occasions.