Hi Juniorphysiotherapist,

I don't do amputees so i can't help with your answer. I understand what i am good at and i do it very well. I also understand what i am not good at and so i either choose to learn it so i do it very well or i ask someone else to do it. In the case of amputees, i have only treated one in my 7 years of private practice and his problems were not to do with his amputation (although it has some bearing on it of course).

I hope someone can provide you the answer for the dressings - i would have thought a specialist nurse would know more about that...

As for pushing or lifting a PUF, i presonally prefer the frames that have wheels on the front and sliders on the back because it promotes a more normal walking pattern - the patient doesn't have to stop walking to pick up a frame.

However, like everything in life, there is a trade-off - these frames are less stable than normal 4 point pick up frames. Therefore it depends on the ability of the patient and how much they can do. i would use a 4 point PUF for NWB and touch weight bearing and progress them to rollator PUF and progress onto FWB from there. But that is an opinion only fom someone who is no longer in inpatient care...

Hope that helps!