Serious and Complex Injuries
Amputation
The loss of a limb is life changing. It has severe implications on mobility, independence and how someone lives their life. Following a serious incident, there is a lot to come to terms with. As well as the physical injury, most also have to adjust psychologically and consider their new “normal.”
We will go to see our clients in person as early as possible. This often involves a visit to hospital and then again once they have been discharged home. It is important to get an understanding from both the client and their family and friends as to the environment they will be returning to. This then allows us to instruct the right team to assist in the recovery process.
Private Rehabilitation
A collaborative approach with insurers is key. Early involvement of a case manager to co-ordinate the discharge home and make sure all required rehabilitation and equipment is available. The importance of rehabilitation cannot be overstated and it is at the centre of what we are working towards.
Our main aim is to try and get our clients as close to the position they were prior to the life altering incident. This can be particularly difficult following amputation but with the correct input, new goals and aspirations can be set and achieved.
The NHS will be involved in the early stages of medical care and rehabilitation but we will always push for early private intervention to further our clients progress. This is particularly important when it comes to the provision of prosthetics.
The Provision of Private Prosthetics
The development in prosthetics in recent years has been huge. The use of technology now in both upper and lower limb prosthesis allows amputees choice and prosthetic limbs that will work in a similar way to the lost limb.
There are a number of providers to choose from and so we will talk our clients through the options available. It is of paramount importance that a limb is trialled so that a client can identify the best fit for them. Prosthesis are not a “one size fits all” situation and it is only through a trial that a client will be able to identify what prosthetic set up is going to work best for them as they move into life as an amputee.
Confidence building
It is one thing having access to a prosthetic but it is another having the confidence to use it. We do not simply want to secure damages for our clients so that they can purchase the prosthetic they require. Instead, we want to ensure a full rehabilitation package is included so that they have access to physiotherapists and counsellors to literally get them back on their feet.
The impact of losing a limb can be devastating and a prosthetic alone will not solve all the challenges an amputee faces. Intensive rehabilitation is so important to get the client feeling confident with their new limb and in the correct mindset to potentially return to work or set and conquer new challenges.