title: Care planning for children with lower limb amputation.
abstract: This article explores the pathways of care for children who undergo lower limb amputation, from pre-surgery to rehabilitation. The consequences of surgery are manifold, including that children and their families must cope with life with a disability, effects on mobility, greater demands on metabolic reserve, disfigurement, pain and discomfort. Care can be divided into multidisciplinary pre-operative, post-operative, mid-term rehabilitation, including prosthetic limb casting and fitting, and long-term rehabilitation over many weeks and years. The involvement of the multidisciplinary team as the child progresses is described. It is recommended that care should be co-ordinated by a nominated lead professional. Effective discharge planning is crucial to a successful transition home and continuing rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. lucy.andrews@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fairbain
authors.forename: Lysa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Downing
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D006113:United Kingdom