Rebuilding Possibility: How RehabVisions Is Advancing Amputee Rehabilitation
At RehabVisions’ partner facility in Osage Beach, Missouri, rehabilitation is evolving—and it looks markedly different than it did just a year ago.
Our therapists have helped shape the amputee rehabilitation program into a more coordinated, patient-centered care. Their focus was clear: improve access, streamline recovery and deliver meaningful outcomes.
This is what happens when a trusted therapy partner brings clinical expertise, innovation and leadership directly into a hospital setting.
Advancing the Continuum of Amputee Care
Access to inpatient rehabilitation has shifted in recent years. As a result, healthcare systems across the country have had to rethink how patients move through recovery after limb loss.
At Lake Regional Health System, RehabVisions therapists saw an opportunity to strengthen that continuum.
Working closely with hospital leadership, nursing, and case management, they improved how patients transition from surgery through recovery. At every stage, patients now have clearer guidance, stronger support and better access to care.
Today, the result is a more seamless and locally accessible rehabilitation experience. Patients move forward with greater confidence and better outcomes.
From Vision to Reality
Programs like this begin with clinicians who are empowered to lead.
Amanda Hite, PTA, a RehabVisions therapist at the hospital, brought both experience and a strong clinical focus when she joined the team. With a background in neurological rehabilitation and a passion for amputee care, she recognized an opportunity to expand services.
“It became clear very quickly that amputee patients weren’t making it into outpatient care—and not because they didn’t need it,” Amanda explains. “There were barriers in place that we had an opportunity to solve.”
With support from RehabVisions leadership and hospital partners, Amanda began building connections across departments and with community providers. Step by step, she helped create a more connected and accessible rehabilitation pathway.
Expanding Access Through Strategic Partnerships
One of the most meaningful improvements has been access to prosthetic care.
Previously, many patients had to travel hours to see prosthetic providers or PM&R physicians. That distance made consistent follow-up difficult.
To address this, our therapists helped develop a partnership with HOPE Prosthetics. Now, patients are introduced to prosthetic services during their hospital stay.
As a result, transitions are smoother. Delays are reduced. Patients feel more prepared for the next phase of recovery.
This level of coordination strengthens continuity of care while making a measurable difference.
Building Momentum Through Collaboration
Collaboration across disciplines also helped the program grow.
Christy Hamman, COTA/L, a RehabVisions clinician in acute care, played an important role in strengthening patient transitions and coordination.
“We were seeing opportunities to better support patients as they moved through recovery,” Christy says. “As inpatient rehab approvals became more complex, we knew we could help create a clearer, more supportive path forward.”
Together, the therapy team worked alongside nursing, case management, surgical staff and prosthetic partners. Over time, they built a coordinated, evidence-based approach to amputee rehabilitation.
The “Leg Day” Milestone
Within the program, one milestone stands above the rest. It’s called “Leg Day”—the day a patient receives their prosthetic.
“Leg Day is a turning point toward independence,” says Amanda.
For the first patient to experience the full program, it was a chance at improved quality of life. For RehabVisions’ therapists, it confirmed the impact of coordinated, patient-centered care done well.
A Comprehensive Approach to Rehabilitation
What sets this program apart is its focus on goals throughout the rehabilitation journey, not just the final outcome.
Before prosthetic fitting, our therapists focus on:
- Residual limb healing and monitoring
- Strength, flexibility, and endurance training
- Postural alignment and balance
- Desensitization techniques
- Gradual weight-bearing progression
- Ongoing monitoring of vitals and medical stability
At the same time, therapists address emotional and psychological needs, including:
- Building strong therapeutic relationships
- Supporting adjustment and confidence
- Providing structured education and resources
- Helping patients set and achieve meaningful goals
This holistic approach ensures patients are prepared not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally for long-term success.
Empowering Therapists to Lead
Lake Regional’s Amputee Program is the perfect example of RehabVisions’ therapy model in action.
Rather than locking therapists into rigid processes, we empower clinicians to lead and innovate. Therapists are encouraged to collaborate and improve care within their partner facilities.
At Lake Regional, that means our therapists are:
- Contributing to program development
- Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration
- Improving clinical and operational outcomes
With strong leadership support and the freedom to treat creatively, therapists are able to practice at a high level while driving meaningful change.
Why Work at RehabVisions
RehabVisions offers our therapists more than a traditional role.
Our clinicians are encouraged to:
- Develop specialized clinical expertise
- Work across the full continuum of care
- Lead and contribute to innovative programs
- Collaborate closely with hospital teams
- See measurable patient outcomes
As a result, we get to see them grow professionally while providing outstanding care to their communities by doing work that truly matters.
Why Partner with RehabVisions
For hospitals, the RehabVisions approach goes beyond staffing to bring strategy, leadership and measurable results.
We work with our partners to:
- Identify opportunities to enhance care delivery
- Build patient-centered programs
- Integrate therapy into hospital operations
- Improve patient outcomes and satisfaction
- Strengthen rehabilitation as a high-performing and profitable service line
The amputee program at Lake Regional exemplifies how therapy can serve as clinical asset as well as a contributor to the bottom line.
Nearly 500 amputations occur each day in the United States, and the need for accessible, high-quality rehabilitation only continues to grow.
We’re proud to bring high-quality care closer to home in communities that may not otherwise have access. At Lake Regional, that need is being met through innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
When therapists are empowered to lead—and supported by leadership that values innovation—rehabilitation doesn’t just improve. It advances.
Ready to Build What’s Next?
If you’re a therapist ready to grow, innovate and deliver meaningful care—or a hospital leader looking to elevate rehabilitation into a high-quality, high-performing service line—RehabVisions is ready to partner with you.
Let’s build something better, together.
