Many people following an amputation also want to learn to run, so they can react to dangerous situations quickly, says Robert S. Gailey, PhD, PT, faculty member of the physical therapy department at the University of Miami's School of Medicine. After performing a balance assessment, Dr. Gailey says he can often teach a person with an amputation the mechanical basics of running in 15 minutes. Dr. Gailey focuses on areas crucial to achieving correct balance, such as proper trunk rotation, adequate muscle strength to control the prosthesis, sufficient range of motion and joint proprioception. Because proper balance involves compensating for sway, applying balance-training techniques without proper joint strength and musculature to support sway will be a waste of time. Edwards and Murphy incorporate exercises such as the squat, step-up and lunge to practice balance and strengthen supporting structures.
Balance is a complex interaction of sensory input, mental reaction and musculoskeletal response.
A lower extremity amputation only temporarily interrupts the first and last components of this process. A properly fitted prosthetic limb, along with a carefully supervised balance and strength training program, can re-assemble the triad, and send a person with an amputation back to a healthy lifestyle.