Beyond the Limb | Podcast on RSS.com

Beyond the Limb

Beyond the Limb

by William Riddick

Education Health & Fitness

Season 1

(EACE) The Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, Will Riddick sits down with Andrea Crunkhorn, Chief of Clinical Affairs for the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence (EACE), to discuss the evolution of amputation care and the work being done to advance rehabilitation for service members, veterans, and the broader limb loss community. Andrea shares her journey into amputation care, the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and resources, and the importance of advanced education and clinical competency. For more information on EACE, visit their site: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/EACE

BACPAR: International Model of Limb Loss Practice Community

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, Will Riddick sits down with Mary Jane Cole, a physiotherapist with decades of experience in limb absence rehabilitation, education, research, and professional leadership. Mary Jane shares the history and evolution of the British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Limb Absence Rehabilitation (BACPAR), including how it has supported clinicians through education, peer networking, clinical guidelines, research, leadership opportunities, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The conversation also explores the importance of professional identity and specialty recognition, the challenges of working in isolation, and what clinicians in the United States might learn from BACPAR's experience. For more information on BACPAR visit their site: https://www.bacpar.org/

PT's and Prosthetists: Stronger Together

What happens when physical therapists and prosthetists truly work as one team? In this episode of Beyond the Limb, host Will Riddick is joined by prosthetist and researcher Kiley Armstrong to explore the power of interprofessional collaboration in limb loss rehabilitation. Together, they discuss the unique expertise each profession brings to patient care, common communication barriers, strategies for building stronger clinical partnerships, and practical ways to coordinate care throughout the rehabilitation journey. From shared outcome measures and interdisciplinary clinics to real-world examples of successful teamwork, this conversation highlights how collaboration leads to more efficient rehabilitation, improved prosthetic outcomes, and ultimately better lives for people with limb loss.

Building Communities In Limb Loss Practice

How can online communities help advance limb loss and limb difference rehabilitation? In this episode, Toran MacLeod, PT, PhD, joins host Will Riddick to discuss the development of professional networks and the growing role of digital communities in connecting clinicians passionate about improving care for individuals with limb loss and limb difference. Check out the current communities listed below! APTA Communities: https://communities.apta.org/home Amputation and Limb Differences Focus Group: https://www.aptaacutecare.org/page/ARFG Amputation Care Special Interest Group: https://www.aptafederal.org/amputation-care

Addressing Disparities in Limb Loss Recovery

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, host Will Riddick speaks with Dr. Sheila Clemens about disparities in limb loss recovery and the complex factors that influence outcomes after amputation. Dr. Clemens shares insights from her research on functional recovery after dysvascular amputation, discusses the importance of multidisciplinary care and psychosocial support, and highlights how physical therapists can better identify barriers and advocate for equitable rehabilitation services. Resources: Clemens SM, Kershaw KN, McDonald CL, Darter BJ, Bursac Z, Garcia SJ, Rossi MD, Lee SP. Disparities in functional recovery after dysvascular lower limb amputation are associated with employment status and self-efficacy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2023 Jul 3;45(14):2280-7. Clemens SM, Kershaw KN, Bursac Z, Lee SP. Association of race, ethnicity, and gender to disparities in functional recovery and social health after major lower limb amputation: a cross-sectional pilot study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2024 Feb 1;105(2):208-16.

Amputee Coalition Deep Dive: The Resource You're Not Using Enough

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, host Will Riddick interviews Amputee Coalition Director of Operations Whitney Doyle to explore how physical therapists can connect patients with limb loss and limb difference to vital resources beyond the clinic. They discuss the Coalition’s impact through peer support, education, advocacy, and programs like the National Limb Loss Resource Center, while highlighting practical ways clinicians can support patients’ emotional, social, and functional recovery. This episode offers actionable insights to help providers expand the continuum of care and improve long-term outcomes for those navigating life after amputation. Links: https://amputee-coalition.org/ https://amputee-coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/inMotion-Spring-2026-Final.pdf

Outcome Measures in Limb Loss Rehabilitation

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, host William Riddick sits down with Meg Sions to explore the critical role of outcome measures in limb loss and limb difference rehabilitation. They discuss how combining patient-reported and performance-based measures enhances clinical decision-making, supports prosthetic prescription, and strengthens interdisciplinary communication. Dr. Sions shares practical strategies for selecting and implementing outcome measures, highlights common pitfalls, and emphasizes their power to motivate patients and track meaningful progress. The conversation also looks ahead to emerging technologies that may transform how clinicians assess real-world function. Links: Outcome Measure Resources - https://sites.udel.edu/megsions/outcome-measures/ Sions JM, Beisheim EH, Seth M. Selecting, Administering, and Interpreting Outcome Measures among Adults with Lower-Limb Loss: An Update for Clinicians. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep. 2020 Sep;8(3):92-109. doi: 10.1007/s40141-020-00274-4. Epub 2020 Aug 3. PMID: 33767921; PMCID: PMC7987109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-020-00274-4

Lessons from the VA Amputation System of Care

In this episode, Will Riddick talks with Patty Young, national program manager of the VA Amputation System of Care, discussing how the VA delivers coordinated, lifelong care for individuals with limb loss. She explains how the system uses interdisciplinary teams, standardized training, and strong communication networks to ensure consistent, high-quality care across the country, from pre-amputation through long-term community reintegration. Will and Patty talk about how to integrate these same practices outside of the Amputation System of Care.

Grief and Emotional Recovery After Limb Loss

In this episode, host Will Riddick explores the critical role of psychosocial aspects in limb loss rehabilitation with Dr. Emily Hawkins of Old Dominion University. They discuss grief, emotional coping, and practical strategies for clinicians to support patients through their emotional journey.

Balancing Performance and Patient-Reported Outcomes

In this episode of Beyond the Limb, host Will Riddick and guest Allison Symsack discuss the importance of outcome measures in physical therapy for patients with limb loss. They explore the differences between performance-based and patient-reported outcomes, the implications of mismatches between the two, and the significance of gait symmetry and balance assessments. The conversation also highlights the role of outcome data in guiding communication with prosthetists and offers a framework for selecting appropriate measures in clinical practice. Through patient stories, they illustrate the impact of these assessments on rehabilitation and patient motivation. Resources: Wong CK, Chihuri ST. Impact of Vascular Disease, Amputation Level, and the Mismatch Between Balance Ability and Balance Confidence in a Cross-Sectional Study of the Likelihood of Falls Among People With Limb Loss: Perception Versus Reality. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019;98(2):130-135. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000001034 Wong CK, Vandervort EE, Moran KM, Adler CM, Chihuri ST, Youdan GA Jr. Walking asymmetry and its relation to patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures in individuals with unilateral lower limb loss. Int Biomech. 2022;9(1):33-41. doi:10.1080/23335432.2022.2142160 Gailey RS, Gaunaurd I, Agrawal V, Finnieston A, O'Toole C, Tolchin R. Application of self-report and performance-based outcome measures to determine functional differences between four categories of prosthetic feet. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(4):597-612. doi:10.1682/jrrd.2011.04.0077

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