Patient Teaching Amputation and Diabetes

 Scenario: A 60 year old, Charles Patel Singh came to the Diabetic resource center and met with the community nurse to learn about how to properly manage their newly diagnosed diabetes. When looking at their health history the nurse learned that the client was South Asian, with a history of hypertension, recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, had a below elbow amputation due to a workplace injury in a construction site five years ago, has a BMI score of 39 and states that they have not been as physically active as they were in the past before their amputation. After the amputation they went into a depression and a change of how they perceive themselves. They explain that while exercising outside years ago, after they recovered from their amputation, a group of children got scared of them as they were running and started pointing at them. From that day on they have avoided going outside unless absolutely necessary.  They also identify as non-binary, using “they” pronouns, and...

 Levels of Amputation What does ‘amputation level’ mean? Amputation level is used to describe at which location of the body part is amputated. The doctor determines the amputation level before the operation and is based on the reason for the amputation. Usually, a prosthetist is normally consulted as well in order to clarify which amputation level is suitable for fitting of the prosthesis. Metacarpal amputation There are many different amputation levels in the hand. They range from a digit or finger amputation, to a metacarpal amputation through the bones of the hand. When there is less need for—or difficulty in fitting—a prosthesis that offers increased function, Cosmetic silicone prostheses are sometimes used. However, a prosthesis not always used with hand   1 st :   Wrist disarticulation For transcarpal,also known as ‘Below elbow’ amputations, the amputation occurs through the radius and the metacarpal bones. 2 nd :   Transradia...

  Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed after using tests to measure blood sugar such as the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. The A1C blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. The results for these tests are interpreted as such: Below 5.7% is normal. 5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. In cases where the A1C test is not available or if you have certain conditions that interfere with the A1C test, your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes: Random blood sugar test.   This blood sugar test measures blood sugar values that are expressed in milligrams of sugar per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles of sugar per liter (mmol/L) of blood. If you measure a level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher it suggests diabetes, regardless of what time you ate, especially if you also have signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as extreme thirst and frequent urination. Fasting blood sug...

                                               Technical Terms on Amputation The list below explains some of the terms commonly used in the field of prosthetics, it is from The War Amps Website, there is a link included for more information. You may need to know these for future reference. Here is the link to The War Amps website for further information: https://www.waramps.ca/ways-we-help/living-with-amputation/#prosthetic-limbs If you wish to reach them you can contact The War Amps at: Phone number: 1 877 622-2472 Email:  info@waramps.ca Abrasion Wearing away of the skin through rubbing or friction Acquired amputation An amputation due to a traumatic injury, or an amputation necessary to treat a disease or illness AE An above-elbow amputation AK An above-knee amputation Alignment How the components in a...