HealthSouth, Hangar clinic gives amputees more options

Michelle Swafford

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 | 11:19 a.m.

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas is teaming up with Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics Inc. to offer patients with amputated limbs, fingers and toes continuous care in one location.

Outpatient Amputee Clinic will hold its grand opening this afternoon from 4 to 6 and weekly clinics beginning next week for patients with amputated arms, legs, fingers and toes to receive rehabilitation from representatives of Hanger, a general surgeon and HealthSouth physical and occupational therapists.

"Amputees are one of the core diagnoses we focus on at HealthSouth," said Gil Sibernagel, chief executive of HealthSouth's hospital on Valley View Boulevard.

Cindy Lubiarz, director of marketing for HealthSouth's Valley View hospital and a registered nurse, said this is the first time HealthSouth's Valley View hospital has been able to offer amputation care in one location.

Each HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital has its own outpatient clinic affiliated with it and the weekly clinic created through an informal partnership will make it easier for patients and health providers, she said.

There are a lot more tools available to aid people with amputations than most people realize, Lubiarz said.

She said eight years ago -- before she worked for HealthSouth -- she had her arm in a splint for several months after undergoing hand surgery and was unable to tie her shoes or cut her food.

"It's embarrassing when you can't do for yourself," Lubiarz said. "There's so many devices. I was just amazed."

She said she was given a gadget to help her tie her shoe laces and a special knife to cut her food.

The outpatient clinic is located inside HealthSouth's 2,900-square-foot outpatient clinic at 2905 W. Charleston Boulevard and will offer monthly educational classes for patients with amputated body parts or people who are at risk of amputation at no charge to the public.

Ed Sisson, Hanger's area manager, said his company partnered with HealthSouth because it has a longstanding relationship with HealthSouth on an inpatient basis and wanted to educate patients beyond their hospital stays.

"We're big on education," Sisson said. "We do a lot of education fairs and evaluation clinics. It's our job to educate -- to let them know what's up and coming."

Although Hanger is the company that will work with patients who need artificial limbs and special devices for weakened or abnormal joints and limbs, patients can choose other prosthetic and orthotic providers if they have a preference or their insurance companies do.

Hanger has three Las Vegas Valley locations and is a subsidiary of Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. in Bethesda, Md. and HealthSouth has 21 inpatient and outpatient clinics in the valley and is based in Birmingham, Ala.