Traumatic Injuries and Amputation

Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body caused by a physical force, such as violence or an accident.

The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors. This can cause the disability to be greater than just physical.

Understanding the Effects of Traumatic Injuries

Some causes of trauma include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Drowning
• Gunshots
• Fires and burns
• Stabbing
• Other physical assaults
• Floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters
• Other shocking experiences

Some of the traumatic injuries we treat at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute include:

• Amputation
• Brain injuries
• Multiple traumatic injuries
• Complex orthopaedic injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Stroke

Understanding Amputations

Although the average hospital stay for a major amputation is just a week, rehabilitation can take much longer.

You're not only dealing with the emotional toll an amputation can take but you may also need to relearn basic skills, such as:

• Dressing
• Walking
• Eating

Treating the Body and the Mind

At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, physical therapy begins within a day or two of surgery and focuses on improving strength and mobility.

Our experts cover every area of rehabilitation, including:

• Kinesitherapy
• Patient education
• Balance and coordination skills
• Counseling for any emotional struggles

The goal of rehabilitation is patient empowerment, so that quality of life remains high regardless of the disability.

Advanced Technology, Comprehensive Services

As one of the leading rehabilitation programs in the United States, patients at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute have access to state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive services to help assist with recovery.

Technologies, such as those in the Robotics and Gaming Center, help you re-learn walking and other tasks so you can live a more independent life after your rehabilitation stay.

An Unsurpassed Continuum of Care

The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is the only rehabilitation program in western Pennsylvania with an on-site Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center, UPMC Mercy.

This means our patients can receive care from the same team of experienced physicians and therapists — from the point of injury through the rehabilitation process.