As a rule, health insurers provide for a period of three to five weeks, in exceptional cases up to seven weeks. Workers' Compensation Boards as funding agencies generally permit a longer period of treatment.

Aims of rehabilitation

The aims of rehabilitation can vary widely from individual to individual. For instance, elderly people are most concerned about retaining their independence, social integration and staying in their own home. The main goal of younger amputees is to return to normal life without major restrictions. One aspect that is extremely important to all amputees is the provision of a prosthesis and learning how to use it. However, the aims of rehabilitation can also be to prevent the prosthesis causing any pain in the stump, or to achieve adequate mobility in a wheelchair if the patient has decided against a prosthesis.