There is no cost to attend, and all interested individuals are invited to participate. Continuing education credit will be available.

Attend at DMU or online

LEARN MORE.

EDUCATIONAL NEED

According to the Amputee Coalition, in 2019, 1.9 million people are living with limb loss in the United States, with an average of 507 people losing a limb every day. This results in an estimated 185,000 amputations per year, and this number is expected to double by the year 2050 due to increasing rates of diabetes and vascular disease. Among those living with limb loss, the major causes of their amputations are vascular disease (including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease), trauma, and cancer. The most common causes of pediatric amputations, however, are lawn mower accidents. Non‐whites comprise about 42% of the limb loss population in the U.S. Non‐whites comprise about 42% of the limb loss population in the U.S. In 2008, the diabetes-related amputation rate among African Americans was nearly four times that of whites. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify medical conditions that may result in lower extremity amputation.
• Recognize key factors in the evaluation of a patient before amputation.
• Identify basic components of the surgical procedure.
• Discuss risks and patient concerns related to lower extremity amputation.
• Identify the role of a physical therapist in a multi-disciplinary team caring for a patient with limb loss.
• Identify three areas of physical therapy intervention when working with a patient with limb loss.

SPEAKERS

Claire Danielson, PT, DPT; Pediatric Physical Therapy, UnityPoint Health

Ashley Dikis, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM; Clinical Department Chair, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Kelly George, Limb Loss Survivor