Rehabilitation at the Artificial Limb and Appliances Service (ALAS)
Referral to the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS)
All patients who are referred to the ALAS are assessed by the Clinical Nurse Specialist. This may be completed whilst you are still in hospital or when you have returned home.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist will complete an assessment and decide whether you are suitable to be referred to the ALAS Physiotherapy Team.
Physiotherapy Assessment
The Physiotherapist will discuss the following with you:
- Details of your amputation
- Past Medical History
- Medication
- Home Circumstances
- Goals
(It is useful to bring any information about your past medical history and medication with you.)
The Physiotherapist will also look at:
- The condition of your residual limb (amputated leg)
- The condition of your contralateral limb (remaining leg)
- Ability to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed
- Ability to sit on the edge of a bed
- Range of movement in all of your limbs
- Strength in your upper and lower limbs
- Ability to stand
- If appropriate, ability to walk (using a PPAM Aid or a Femurett- see below)
Getting a prosthetic limb
If the Clinical Nurse Specialist and the Physiotherapist are happy, then you will be measured and provided with a special stocking called a JUZO ( which you must wear over your amputated leg).
You are then ready to be referred to the Prosthetic Team who will assess, measure and make you an artificial limb.
Once you and the Physiotherapist are happy that you can use the artificial limb safely and effectively, then you will take it home. You may need to continue attending the limb centre to continue your rehabilitation depending on how quickly you progress.
Once you have been discharged from Physiotherapy you will receive long-term follow-up as appropriate with the Prosthetic Team.
Also in this section
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Useful Links
- Citizens Advice Bureau – Telephone: 0808 278 7925
- Cardiff & Vale Advice link
- Benefits and Financial help for people with a disability
- Driving with medical conditions, Blue Badges and public transport for disabled people
- The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service
- Blesma The Limbless Veterans -Telphone: 020 8590 1124
- The Limbless Association – Telephone :0800 6440185
- Limb power: Living Life without limbs- Telephone: 07502276858
- REACH– Helping children with upper limb differences live life without limits -Telephone 0234780100
Useful Links for exercise:
- Ottobock fitness app– the fitness app can be download free from your App Store
- Limb Power: Living life without limbs Enquires: 07503030702
- Disability Sport Wales
- Sport Cardiff
- Swim Wales
- Pedal Power
