Physical Restoration Services

Surgery for cancer can result in any of the functional disabilities, such as loss of speech, loss or limitation of mobility of an arm or leg, or severe general debility. It is essential to restore the cancer patient to the maximum possible functional capacity, either through exercises involving the affected part of the body or by providing prostheses and artificial appliances to substitute the lost part, so as to duplicate normal functions to the maximum extent possible.

Various prostheses and appliances needed by cancer patients such as artificial larynx, breast prostheses and colostomy bags are easily available in the open market in Western countries. But in India, many of these prostheses and appliances still cannot be had for the asking. This led us to start manufacturing these items in our Rehabilitation Centre. Samples of breast prostheses and irrigation sets obtained from well-known manufacturers were modified to suit Indian conditions. We substituted foam rubber for the silicon jelly used in manufacturing breast prostheses in the West. Such foam-based prostheses usually last for 4 to 5 years and cost Rs. 250/-  to Rs. 350/-. Similarly, irrigation sets for the ostomates based on imported samples cost about Rs. 550/- per set. They are sent by post to patients all over India with instructions for their use. 

Treatment of cancer of the soft tissues or bone often demands an amputation. Many such patients had to wait for a year or more to get artificial limbs from the few artificial limb manufacturing agencies currently functioning in India. A small prosthestic and orthotic unit was, therefore, established at the Rehabilitation Centre in March 1982. Hip-Disarticulation Limb and Rotation Limb are available only at our Rehabilitation Centre. The unique aspect of our programme lies in the fact that all the prostheses and appliances are prepared by cancer patients trained for such jobs from indigenously available materials. Between 2000 to 3000 cancer patients are given various aids and appliances from the centre every year.

Physical restoration services at the Rehabilitation Centre also include the provision of free-meals, extra-nutritives, clothing, medicines and training the laryngectomees in oesophageal speech.