THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
Occupational Therapy
&
Individuals with Limb Loss and Prosthetic Devices
Occupational Therapy is a unique profession that has a significant role in the care and rehabilitation of individuals with limb loss and prosthetic devices.
The aim of this site is to advocate for the profession and this population in order to improve understanding of the needs and to enhance the care provided.
ABOUT
Tori Martin, O.T.D.
I recently earned my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Florida. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a Biomechanics concentration from North Carolina State University in 2017.
I am the creator of this evidence-based educational and advocational platform. My hope is for this site to provide the necessary information and resources to enhance the knowledge surrounding the individuals with limb loss and prosthetic device population, as well as to increase the quality of care provided to these individuals.
INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMB LOSS
Limb loss and amputation are often used interchangeably and are the general terms used for individuals who are missing all or part of a limb. Amputations can occur following traumatic injury, infection, illness, or at birth.
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Nearly 2 million individuals are living with limb loss in the U.S. today (Ziegler-Graham et al., 2008).
ABOUT MY PROJECT
This website began as a piece of a much larger capstone project focused on advocating for the role of Occupational Therapists as a part of the rehabilitation team for individuals with prosthetic devices.
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Learn more about the significance of OT in the rehabilitative care of individuals with limb loss and prosthetic devices.
STATISTICS
Did you know?
~185,000
Individuals undergo an amputation a year
(Ziegler-Graham et al., 2008)
1.6 Million
Individuals were living with limb loss in 2005, this is expected to more than DOUBLE by 2050 (~3.6 million)
(Ziegler-Graham et al., 2008)
1 in 10
Amputees do not receive proper medical care when needed
(Amputee Coalition of America, n.d.)
REFERENCES
Amputee Coalition of America. (n.d.). People with amputation speak out with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA). https://www.amputee-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/lsp_people-speak-out_120115-113243.pdf
Ziegler-Graham, K., MacKenzie, E. J., Ephraim, P. L., Travison, T. G., & Brookmeyer, R. (2008). Estimating the prevalence of limb loss in the United States: 2005 to 2050. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 89(3), 422–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2007.11.005