Published on June 17, 2026

How Physical Therapy Supports Amputees

Image of a leg amputee sitting on a bench in a doctors office with a physical therapist assisting them to lift their leg.

Losing a limb can bring physical, emotional and everyday challenges—but it can also mark the beginning of a new chapter focused on recovery, adaptation and rediscovering independence. Physical therapy plays an important role throughout that journey, helping individuals build strength, improve balance, learn new movement patterns and regain confidence in daily life.

Your Recovery Team

After an amputation, recovery often involves a team of specialists working together to support healing, mobility and independence.

Once healing progresses, patients may begin working with a prosthetist. Prosthetists specialize in designing, fitting and adjusting prosthetic limbs tailored to each patient’s goals, lifestyle and anatomy. They work closely with patients to ensure comfort, function and proper fit while making adjustments as needs change over time.

Physical therapists play an important role throughout recovery—before and after receiving a prosthetic device. They help patients improve strength, flexibility, balance and endurance while teaching strategies for safe movement and everyday activities. For those using a prosthetic limb, physical therapists also guide gait training and help patients build confidence navigating daily life.

Inpatient Rehab

When patients are discharged from the hospital, often they are sent to inpatient rehab to jumpstart the healing process and education to increase their independence with functional mobility. Patients function at all different levels after an amputation, especially a lower limb amputation. Often, they are using a wheelchair after hospitalization because their incisions must heal. Discussion and education of a prosthetic, if appropriate, is typically started in the hospital after surgery.

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Patients are then referred to outpatient physical therapy to learn:

  • Balance in sitting and standing
  • Strengthen limbs and core
  • Improve transfers
  • Learn to walk with a prosthetic if they have one (or prepare for one)

It can be very overwhelming and sometimes frustrating for amputees to go through the rehab process. As frustrating as it sounds, it takes time for patients to learn to walk with confidence with or without an assistive device after an amputation. Physical therapists provide extensive education regarding multiple aspects of mobility, safety, and modifications, mental and emotional support, support groups and resources, and endless encouragement. Physical therapy creates a safe space for patients to share their highs and lows, frustrations and fears, and builds a supportive community with other patients and providers.

Our goal as physical therapists is for patients with amputations to increase their independence and safety with functional mobility as much as possible. We strive to help patients be independent with walking, getting up and down from the floor, fall prevention and recovery, and more – all while creating an environment for patients to look forward to growing in. 

Jen Thomas is a physical therapist at MyMichigan Rehabilitation Services in Midland.