A look inside Klinik Hanger

One of the great things we have happening at Klinik Hanger is the multidisciplinary approach of having both prosthetists and physical therapists working together with patients in the same facility. As prosthetists we evaluate, fabricate and fit the prosthesis. On the day of fitting the physical therapists begin training the patients to walk with the new limb. We prosthetists are there to make adjustments as the patient adapts to their new prosthesis and their gait improves. The coordination of services under one roof is ideal for patients and something difficult to duplicate in the USA.

Another aspect of holistic care that we are able to provide patients is a natural support system from other amputees. After providing a prosthesis to an amputee, he or she usually stays at least a week here at the L'Escale house near the hospital compound, returning to the clinic each day for physical therapy and adjustments as needed. During that time the patients develop a community; they are able to learn from and support each other in ways we cannot provide. This support happens both in their living arrangement and in the clinic as they cheer for each other. At home we try to build that kind of community with our patients and here it seems to happen naturally.