Medical rehabilitation is the first phase of getting one's life back. Once the wounds have healed and a prosthesis has been fitted, the foundations for reintegration into the labour market and society are laid.

Rehabilitation immediately follows the operation, provided the hospital has the necessary facilities. Two to three weeks after the operation, the patient should be transferred to a suitable rehabilitation unit. By this time, the wounds should have largely healed, but complete healing is not generally essential.

In Germany, rehabilitation is usually funded by the social insurance funds (health insurance, pension funds, accident insurers), provided corresponding insurance cover exists. The funding agencies also choose the rehabilitation unit once the corresponding application has been received from the attending physician or the hospital's welfare service. Amputees are usually assigned to rehabilitation close to where they live. However this procedure does not allow for any direct influence of the patient in the choice of rehabilitation unit.

In general, amputees should always receive inpatient rehabilitation. The complexity of the measures required can usually only be addressed with inpatient care. One exception might be measures taken in patients with a prosthesis who have undergone their amputation a long time beforehand and who only require a "refresher course". In addition, in the first few weeks after surgery, patients will need extra nursing that cannot be guaranteed in their home environment.

Nevertheless, the home atmosphere and support of relatives and friends are very important. The latter are therefore taught, as far as possible, how to help don the prosthesis. In addition, they are involved in discussions about the reorganisation of the home environment and implementation of any necessary changes. The patient's family and friends also help in restoring the patient's emotional stability.