The Sanford Amputee Clinic provides comprehensive care to individuals who have undergone a limb amputation. Patients have the opportunity to receive care from qualified professionals who are working together to provide care based upon each individual’s needs.

The clinic is designed to ensure the patient receives coordinated clinical management providing an evaluation, training and education regarding their individual needs.


Who Benefits From the Clinic?
Recent amputees who are waiting to be fit with a prosthesis. Pre-prosthetic residual limb status will be monitored and recommendations regarding readiness for prosthetic fitting will be made. Patients who are ready for prosthetic fitting will be assessed to determine the appropriate prosthetic components.

New prosthetic wearers. Patients will be monitored for proper prosthetic fit and receive training on the proper use of their prosthesis.

Experienced prosthetic wearers. Patients who are having problems with their prosthetic device will be assessed by the Amputee team. Recommendations for repairs, new componentry, or further training will be made. Persons who have had their prosthesis for several years may not be aware of new prosthetic technology that will improve how they function with their prosthesis.


What Are The Goals?
The patient will work closely with the clinic team towards goals, which include skin care, prosthetic fit, prosthetic training and education. Patients will be given recommendations based upon their need. The Amputee Clinic will provide a forum for open communication between referring physician, physiatrist, therapists, prosthetist, social worker and persons who have undergone amputation.

The goals of the clinic may include:

• Provide education to increase use of prosthesis for physical activities and/or selfcare
• Assess prosthetic componentry
• Assess residual limb for prosthetic readiness
• Reduce use of pain medications
• Learn stress management techniques
• Individual goals that the prosthetic wearer identifies
• The ultimate goal of the clinic is to improve quality of life.

Appointments and Admission Criteria
Evaluation at the Amputee Clinic is by physician referral. Call 605-333-4567 to make appointments at the Amputee Clinic. For further information on the Sanford USD Medical Center Amputee Clinic please call the Amputee Clinic Team.