1229 - Inpatient Rehabilitation for Gait Training of an Above-Knee Amputee with a new Osseo-Integrated Prosthesis - A Case Report

Friday, February 20, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

ST

Salam Taraben, MD

Resident
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Aurora, Ohio, United States

Co-Author(s)

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Joanne Bickerton, MSN

Advance Practice Provider /CNP
Clevelnad Clinic
Beachwood, Ohio, United States

Presenting Author(s)

BK

Branden King, DO

Physician
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Beachwood, Ohio, United States

Submitter(s)

BK

Branden King, DO

Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Beachwood, Ohio, United States

Case Diagnosis: Right above-knee amputation with osseo-integrated hardware for prosthetic fitting

Case Description: A 70-year-old female with a history of COPD, atrial fibrillation, and L TKA c/b chronic hardware infection resulting in subsequent L AKA with multiple revisions, thighplasty and osseointegration to residual femur initially presented to amputation clinic 1-month s/p procurement of her first prosthetic leg. However, she had not done any therapies and did not feel safe walking in her new prosthesis. She was referred to outpatient therapies. Aggressive inpatient gait training program (AmpChamp) was recommended. Authorization for AmpChamp was authorized via peer-to-peer. Upon admission, she initially walked only 10 feet with two-person assist in parallel bars. At time of discharge, patient walked >50 feet x3 with rolling walker and all ADLs at modified-independent level. Her stay was complicated by COPD exacerbation 2/2 COVID and RSV. Length of stay was 18 days. She was able to discharge to her own home with home therapies.

Discussions: Osseointegration is the surgical implantation of a prosthetic interface. Following amputation, it is relatively rare but useful for short residual femur. The benefit of osseointegration is to increase femur length and give the patient more control over their prosthesis with the goal of increased function and safety. Patient anxiety over safety of a new prosthesis can be a barrier to ambulation.

Conclusions: Acute inpatient rehabilitation programs specifically for gait training for new amputees helps patients build confidence in their mobility and ADLs when they receive their first prosthesis. Insurance is often reluctant to cover these programs, as in most cases, the patient is being admitted from home. However, inpatient gait training programs are especially helpful for amputees with complex wounds and medical comorbidities. This patient was wheelchair-bound and improved to walking home and short community distances with the AmpChamp inpatient gait training program.