Center for the Intrepid
Osseointegration
This fact sheet provides information on osseointegration (OI) and the use of this procedure for the direct skeletal attachment of prosthetic limbs in Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries with amputations.
Mission
The threefold mission of the CFI is to provide rehabilitation for OIF/OEF casualties who have sustained amputation, burns, or functional limb loss, to provide education to DoD and Department of Veteran's Affairs professionals on cutting edge rehabilitation modalities, and to promote research in the fields of Orthopaedics, prosthetics and physical/occupational rehabilitation. The staff and equipment for the building was selected to provide the full spectrum of amputee rehabilitation as well as the advanced outpatient rehabilitation for burn victims and limb salvage patients with residual functional loss.
Our Vision
Through the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team, we will provide state-of-the-art amputee care, assisting our patients as they return to the highest levels of physical, psychological and emotional function.
History
In the spring of 2005, Arnold Fisher and the board of directors of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes proffered a rehabilitation facility. Secretary of the Army Harvey accepted the proffer and funds for the facility were received from over 600,000 Americans. Ground was broken for the four story, 65,000 square foot outpatient rehabilitation facility and two new 21 handicap accessible suite Fisher Houses on 22 September 2005. The ribbon cutting for the CFI and the new Fisher Houses was held on 29 January 2007 and patient care began in the facility on 15 February 2007.
Capabilities
The capabilities of the CFI include state-of-the-world technologies designed to be used for rehabilitation, research, education, and training. Patients are challenged by state-of-the-art physical therapy and occupational therapy, demanding and challenging sports equipment, and virtual reality systems. They benefit from individualized case management, access to behavioral medicine services, and in-house prosthetic fitting and fabrication. The Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) provides virtual reality training, the Motion Analysis Lab allows specialists to detect gait deviations not discernable to the naked eye, the Firearms training simulator reacquaints patients with their weapons systems, and the Flowrider integrates balance, core strength training, and excitement into the rehabilitation process. The CFI is an outpatient facility under the command and control of BAMC and specifically the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. The CFI is staffed by active duty Army medical staff, Department of the Army civilians, contract providers, and nine full-time Department of Veteran's Affairs employees. Together they work to maximize the patients' rehabilitative potential and to facilitate reintegration whether or not they remain on active duty or return to civilian life.
Services are presented to patients using an interdisciplinary approach and include physical medicine, case management, behavioral medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, wound care, and prosthetic fitting and fabrication. During a typical week, 140-145 different patients are seen and account for between 550-650 patient visits. During the first year of operation, there were over 28,000 patient visits documented at the CFI.