Case Study: The Enclave at Rye Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (March 2018)

Patients Age: 29
Admission Date: 1/23/17
Admitted From: White Plains Hospital
Discharge Date: TBD
Discharged To: TBD
Length of Stay: TBD
Reason for Stay: Left foot amputation for Left foot chronic osteomyelitis. History of spina bifida
How did Patient hear about The Enclave at Rye? Hospital Case Manager


Details of Experience:
Harry was admitted to The Enclave at Rye Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on January 23rd 2018 from White Plains Hospital following the amputation of his left foot due to his history of spina bifida and chronic osteomyelitis of the left foot. The interdisciplinary team, including the nurses, therapists, and administrative team warmly welcomed him to this new environment, making him feel comfortable.

The nursing team evaluated Harry’s wound, with the goal of ensuring a safe healing process while also controlling for pain, which was 7/10 on the numerical pain scale. He would need therapy to improve his strength, endurance, gait and balance to improve his functional mobility in addition to preventing the risk of future falls. Harry was immediately informed about The Enclave’s Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program, led by Todd Schauffhauser and Dennis Oehler, both paralympic amputees, who provide additional support and training to amputees.

Marlene, the physical therapist, established short term goals of Harry being able to perform all functional transfers independently, an improvement from his current moderate assist of one. Increasing strength and endurance on the right foot required additional measures of support, as Harry was experiencing pain on his right ankle. To ease the pressure he was given an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) to aid in supporting the additional weight not being carried by his left side. These measures helped to improve his mobility so that he was independently transferring in and out of bed and to his wheelchair one month into his stay.

Due to certain issues surrounding the nature of the amputation, there were complications in properly setting his prosthesis slowing the process of beginning to walk with one. The therapy team coordinated with nursing to ensure he could tolerate wearing the prosthesis, without feeling any pain, swelling or redness for extended periods of time. While initially ambulating with a rolling walker by hopping, on March 19th Harry took his first unassisted steps with his new prosthesis. Todd and Dennis met with him to provide additional support and training for safety awareness and proper gait with the prosthesis. The renewed energy of walking independently has been evident on Harry’s face since that day, as he continues to progress towards walking on his own once again.