candidacy guidelines

candidacy guidelines

Joan Cestaro

1/9/2002

I am wondering if there exist any specific guidelines (Medicare or
other) that outline specific tasks necessary for prosthetic candidacy.
I am not referring to the K-levels. I have been told that the VA has
guidelines that say an amputee must be able to sit to stand
independently and be able to take 10 steps (or go 10 feet?)
independently to be eligible for prosthetic rehab. Taking 10 steps with
a walker on one leg seems a bit unreasonable for some elderly folks who
otherwise are pretty good K-1 candidates. And this doesn't help in
determining if one will be able to use the prosthesis for transfers
only.

I have had an influx of patients recently who are by no one's standards
candidates (except their own) for anything other than a cosmetic
appliance. I would love to hand them a paper and say, Here are the
requirements for candidacy. But I don't know of any such thing, so
instead it's simply my call (or a referral to a P.T. if strength
training seems like a good idea).

Thanks in advance,

Joan K. Cestaro, C.P.
Rehabilitation Practitioners, Inc.
Winchester, Virginia