Return to work after lower limb amputation

Purpose. To review the literature on return to work after lower limb amputation.

Method. A comprehensive review of literature on return to work after lower limb amputation was carried out, searching MEDLINE and PubMED.

Results. Most authors found return-to-work rate to be about 66%. Between 22 and 67% of the subjects retained the same occupation, while the remainder had to change occupation. Post-amputation jobs were generally more complex with a requirement for a higher level of general educational development and were physically less demanding. The return to work depends on: general factors, such as age, gender and educational level; factors related to impairments and disabilities due to amputation (amputation level, multiple amputations, comorbidity, reason for amputation, persistent stump problems, the time from the injury to obtaining a permanent prosthesis, wearing comfort of the prosthesis, walking distance and restrictions in mobility); and factors related to work and policies (salary, higher job involvement, good support from the implementing body and the employer and social support network).

Conclusions. Subjects have problems returning to work after lower limb amputation. Many have to change their work and/or work only part-time. Vocational rehabilitation and counselling should become a part of rehabilitation programme for all subjects who are of working age after lower limb amputation. Better cooperation between professionals, such as rehabilitation team members, implementing bodies, company doctors and the employers, is necessary.     

Evaluation of prosthetic usage in upper limb amputees

Purpose: Upper limb amputations cause severe functional disability and lower the patient's self body image, with severe psychological implications. Many parameters are involved in the successful rehabilitation of upper limb amputations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are any parameters that might predict the successful prosthetic rehabilitation of upper limb amputees.

Method: The records of 45 patients who had undergone an upper limb amputation were traced. The patients were evaluated according to four parameters: (1) Modified upper extremities amputees' questionnaire; (2) Pain level according to Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range from 1 (lowest) up to 10 (highest); (3) Pain type - phantom or pain in the stump; (4) Functional assessment of prosthetic usage.

Results: Thirty (71.43%) of the patients reported difficulties with prosthesis usage. Twenty-three patients (54.76%) were satisfied with their prosthesis - 19 had cosmetic prosthesis and four had body-powered prosthesis.

Conclusion: No significant affect of the amputation level except for trans-wrist amputation with 100% prosthesis use. No significant difference was found between prosthesis type and the correlation to stump problems.

The above-elbow amputees, with dominant hand amputation, who used functional prosthesis (body-powered), achieved the best functional outcome and result.     

Gender differences in amputation outcome

Purpose. To assess the influence of gender on the success of limb-fitting after amputation.

Methods. One-hundred and five successive in-patients admitted to an amputee rehabilitation ward were followed to assess the success of limb-fitting at discharge. The influence of demographic, clinical and social factors on the success of lower limb-fitting was assessed using linear regression analysis and group comparisons.

Results. There were 35 (33%) women in a cohort of 105 successive admissions. Men and women were comparable in terms of age, length of stay, medical comorbidity and level of amputation. Women were less likely to be successfully fitted with a prosthetic limb at discharge than men (42.9% vs 68.6%, p = 0.011), and more women lived alone (57.1% vs 38.6%, p = 0.021). Linear regression revealed that gender was an independent significant factor in the success of limb-fitting; age, level and cause of amputation, co-morbidity and length of stay were not significant factors.

Conclusions. Women were less likely to be successfully fitted with a lower limb prosthesis after amputation.     

Partial hand amputation and work

Purpose. To determine whether or not subjects who had had a partial hand amputation were able to return to the same job and whether or not they used their silicone finger prosthesis for work.

Method. Medical records of all the patients who had undergone a traumatic partial hand amputation and who had been treated in the Upper Limb Prosthetic Clinic at the Institute for Rehabilitation in Ljubljana were reviewed. Questionnaires were sent to 112 patients. Forty-eight questionnaires which were returned and had been correctly answered were analysed.

Results. The study found that less than half the patients who had had a partial hand amputation were able to do the same work as before the amputation. Less than one-third wore their silicone prosthesis at work regularly. The subjects who did not have manual jobs and who had an amputation of only one or two fingers were able to keep the same job more easily after the amputation. Only a few subjects found their silicone prosthesis useful at work.

Conclusion. It can be concluded that partial hand amputation may present a great problem in keeping the same job after amputation. An aesthetic (cosmetic) silicone prosthesis is helpful particularly for subjects with higher education whose work involves personal contacts and for whom aesthetics is important. They use the prosthesis for certain activities, such as typing.     

Predictors of return to work following traumatic work-related lower extremity amputation

Purpose. To determine factors predictive of return to work (RTW) and days of total disability (TD) in a population of persons working at the time of lower extremity amputation.

Method. Retrospective chart and database review.

Results. Of 88 valid cases, 48% involved toe amputation, 23% transtibial, 14% partial foot, 14% transfemoral, and 2% high level. Fifty-eight percent of all subjects RTW, 19% were deemed 'fit for work', and 23% did not RTW. Days TD ranged from 0 to 1664, with a mean of 366 days. Toe amputation level showed a mean of 127 days of TD. Bivariate analysis showed amputation level, total costs to Workers Compensation Board (WCB), and days TD significantly related to RTW, and rehabilitation costs, vocational rehabilitation, work assessment, age, number of surgical procedures, number of days in acute care, and amputation level significantly related to days TD. In the multivariate model, only amputation level and higher gross annual income showed predictive value for RTW. However older age, more surgical procedures, less days in hospital, and higher amputation levels were all predictive of increased days TD.

Conclusion. Toe amputation level had a surprisingly high number of days TD, which may have significant potential economic and disability impact on the workplace. Other factors beyond simply amputation level (such as previous income level) are important considerations for RTW.     

Health related quality of life and related factors in 539 persons with amputation of upper and lower limb

Purpose : Limb amputation is followed by an important rehabilitation process, especially when a prosthesis is involved. The objective of this study is to assess the nature of factors related to health related quality of life (HRQL) of persons with limb amputation.

Method : The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) treated 1011 subjects with major amputation of one or several limbs. Correlations were sought in multivariate regression model analyses between the six categories of distress explored by the NHP and age, sex, cause and level of amputation and rehabilitation programme.

Results : Response rate was 53.3%. HRQL measured by the NHP was mostly impaired in the categories of physical disability, pain and energy level. Controlling for sex and age, young age at the time of amputation, traumatic origin and upper limb amputation were independently associated with better HRQL.

Conclusion : It is concluded that HRQL is largely related to factors which are inherent to the patient and the amputation.     

The experience of men using an upper limb prosthesis following amputation: positive coping and minimizing feeling different

Purpose. Psychosocial factors are likely to play a crucial role in adjustment to upper limb amputation and prosthesis use, and yet have received only minimal exploration within the literature. This study therefore, sought to gain a rich understanding of the experience of living with an upper limb amputation and of using a prosthetic arm and hand.

Methods. The qualitative method of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used. Purposive sampling culminated in a homogenous sample of 11 males with unilateral upper limb amputations, who wore a prosthesis at least weekly. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, transcribed and analysed according to the methodology.

Results. Participants identified a theme of ongoing awareness of difference in appearance and ability. Consequently, participants described themes of psychosocial and functional adjustment to minimize this sense of difference. This was facilitated by the participants' prostheses and their positive coping style. Within this, participants also identified the personal meanings of their prosthesis and highlighted the terms of its use. The minimization of their sense of difference resulted in participants regaining a sense of worth.

Conclusions. The findings offer a greater psychological insight into adjustment from an upper limb amputation and the role of prostheses. These findings have implications for both the clinical rehabilitation of patients who undergo upper limb amputations, as well as for future research into the use and value of prostheses in facilitating the adjustment to this experience.     

Amputation rehabilitation and prosthetic restoration. From surgery to community reintegration

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature related to the advances that have taken place in the management and rehabilitation care of limb amputation.

Results: Prostheses for the lower and upper limb amputee have changed greatly over the past several years, with advances in components, socket fabrication and fitting techniques, suspension systems and sources of power and electronic controls. Higher levels of limb amputation can now be fitted with functional prostheses, which allow more patients to achieve independent life styles. This is of particular importance for the multi-limb amputee. The rehabilitation of more traditional lower limb levels of amputation have also greatly benefited from the technological advances including energy storing feet, electronic control hydraulic knees, ankle rotators and shock absorbers to mention a few. For the upper limb amputee, myoelectric and proportional controlled terminal devices and elbow joints are now used routinely in some rehabilitation facilities. Experimental prosthetic fitting techniques and devices such as the use of osseo-implantation for suspension of the prosthesis, tension control hands or electromagnetic fluids for knee movement control will also be briefly discussed in this paper.

Conclusion: It is possible to conclude from this review that many advances have occurred that have greatly impacted the functional outcomes of patients with limb amputation.     

Return to work in stroke patients

Purpose. To present the current state of knowledge regarding return to work (RTW) following stroke.

Method. A comprehensive review of the current stroke rehabilitation literature pertaining to prognostic and treatment factors for RTW following stroke.

Results. Stroke is a major healthcare problem and one of the most expensive diseases in modern society. Stroke results not only in impairment and limitation in basic daily activities; it also impacts on participation in community activities, such as returning to work. Return to work in post-stroke patients has been reported to range between 19% and 73%. Various studies report on return to work in diverse populations, using different follow-up periods, while utilizing variable definitions of stroke and successful work outcomes. The factors positively related to RTW in stroke patients, as found in the literature, are age less then 65 years, high education level and white-collar employment. The significant negative predictor is the severity of stroke. This is indicated by neurological parameters including functional measures of the presence and extent of motor and cognitive impairment. Significantly, the side of the brain damaged and stroke location were not found to be correlated with RTW. Social and financial factors also significantly influence RTW.

Conclusions. RTW in stroke patients should be considered one of the indicators of a successful rehabilitation as it influences self-image, well-being and life satisfaction. There is still a considerable lack of knowledge regarding effective assessments and interventions in vocational rehabilitation in stroke patients.     

Factors related to successful job reintegration of people with a lower limb amputation

OBJECTIVE: To study demographically, amputation-, and employment-related factors that show a relationship to successful job reintegration of patients after lower limb amputation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Subjects had an acquired unilateral major amputation of the lower limb at least 2 years before, were aged 18 to 60 years (mean, 46yr), and were living in the Netherlands. All 322 patients were working at the time of amputation and were recruited from orthopedic workshops. INTERVENTION: Questionnaires sent to subjects to self-report (1) demographic and amputation information and (2) job characteristics and readjustment postamputation. Questionnaire sent to rehabilitation specialists to assess physical work load. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographically related (age, gender); amputation-related (comorbidity; reason and level; problems with stump, pain, prosthesis use and problems, mobility, rehabilitation); and employment-related (education, physical workload) information about the success of job reintegration. RESULTS: Job reintegration was successful in 79% and unsuccessful in 21% of the amputees. Age at the time of amputation, wearing comfort of the prosthesis, and education level were significant indicators of successful job reintegration. Subjects with physically demanding jobs who changed type of job before and after the amputation more often successfully returned to work than subjects who tried to stay at the same type of job. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with a low education level and problems with the wearing comfort of the prosthesis are a population at risk who require special attention during the rehabilitation process in order to return to work. Lowering the physical workload by changing to another type of work enhances the chance of successful reintegration.     

Prevalence of low back pain after transfemoral amputation related to physical activity and other prosthesis-related parameters

Background: Although clinical experience indicates that prolonged use of a prosthesis after transfemoral amputation (TFA) is related to a higher incidence of low back pain (LBP), few data are available to substantiate this impression. Therefore, in a TFA population, we investigated the prevalence of LBP and its relationship with years since amputation, as well as the level of daily physical activity and other prosthesis-related parameters.

Method: Questionnaires were sent to 490 subjects with TFA. Of these, 240 questionnaires could be used for analysis.

Results: Trauma and tumours were the most frequent reasons for amputation. The majority of the study group was aged under 30 years at the time of surgery, had been using a prosthesis more than 10 years, and had a moderately active life. Serious LBP (i.e. frequent or permanent LBP) was reported in 26.3% of the participants. No relationship was found between LBP and years since amputation or physical activity.

Conclusion: The data show that the prevalence of LBP in our study group is higher than in the general population, and higher in the female than in the male participants. The initial assumption that there is a higher and increasing length of time since amputation and physical activity level is not confirmed in this study.     

Quality of life and maintenance of improvements after early multimodal rehabilitation: a 5-year follow-up

Purpose. There is a paucity of long-term evaluations on rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, e.g., neck, shoulder or back pain. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and the effect of early multimodal rehabilitation on 91 patients with musculoskeletal pain and disability at a 5-year follow-up.

Method. The follow-up assessment, which included questions on pain, function, quality of life, perceived health, sick leave and psychosomatic symptoms, was performed 5 years after the assessment of baseline status.

Results. Improvements in pain, perceived health and psychosomatic symptoms were maintained at the 5-year follow-up. In addition, improvements in function, quality of life, and level of acceptable pain were significant in comparison to baseline. At the time of the baseline assessment all patients were on sick leave (13% were on partial sick leave). At the 5-year follow-up, 58% of the patients were at work part or full time. The results show that those working differed significantly from those not working at the 5-year follow-up on almost all variables, indicating that those working enjoy better health. The most salient prognostic factors for return to work were perceived health and educational level at the time of the baseline evaluation.

Conclusions. These results show that treatment improved quality of life and the effects were basically maintained at 5 years. Work capacity as reflected in return to work increased greatly (81%) at a 1-year follow-up and was substantial (58%) at the 5-year follow-up. Moreover, perceived health and educational levels were important prognostic factors. Finally, the fact that patients working reported better health underscores the probable importance of return to work. Our results imply that it may be feasible to obtain long-term benefits from such a primary care-based intervention.     

A two-year longitudinal study of social support following amputation

Purpose: (1) To describe one aspect of social support, social integration, longitudinally for 2 years following lower limb amputation and (2) to explore the impact of social support on depression, pain interference, life satisfaction, mobility, and occupational functioning.

Method: Eighty-nine adults recruited from consecutive admissions to an orthopaedic surgery service completed telephone interviews 1, 6, 12 and 24 months following amputation surgery. Dependent variables included the Social Integration (SI) sub-scale of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

Results: There was a high level of SI among most persons following lower limb amputations that was relatively unchanged in the 2 years following surgery. However, mean levels of SI were lower in this group compared to a sample without disabilities. MSPSS scores were highly variable, ranging from almost no support to the maximum amount of support. MSPSS was an important concurrent predictor of pain interference, life satisfaction, and mobility, controlling for demographic and amputation-related factors. Baseline MSPSS predicted mobility and occupational functioning 6 months post-amputation, controlling for demographic and amputation-related factors.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving the quality of social relationships after amputation may facilitate participation in activities.     

Psychological adjustment to lower limb amputation amongst prosthesis users

Purpose. Clinical reports indicate that many lower limb amputees experience problems with psychological adjustment. Although depressive responses to amputation have been well investigated, there has been insufficient attention to other aspects of adjustment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological morbidity in an amputee population and identify variables associated with increased distress. Particular attention was given to cognitive models of emotion which postulate a key role for self-consciousness and appearance-related beliefs.

Method. A cross-sectional survey of 67 adult lower limb prosthesis users who had experienced amputation within the last five years. Outcome measures were the Psychosocial Adjustment Scale of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Self Consciousness Scale and the Appearance Schemas Inventory.

Results. Using conservative cut-off scores the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 29.9 and 13.4%, respectively. Appearance-related beliefs were associated with both distress and psychosocial adjustment difficulties. Public but not private self-consciousness was associated with distress and psychosocial adjustment difficulties.

Conclusions. Clinicians need to monitor amputees for distress over a longer time period than the initial post-operative phase. It is particularly important to assess for anxiety. Interventions that target appearance-related beliefs may be of benefit to this population.     

The value of the Rehabilitation Activities Profile (RAP) as a quality sub-system in rehabilitation medicine

Purpose: To determine whether interdisciplinary team care, using the Rehabilitation Activities Profile (RAP) as a team tool, results in a better rehabilitation outcome.

Method: A multilevel prospective cohort study, with a controlled before and after design. Eighteen rehabilitation teams in eight rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands and Belgium participated. Based on the level of implementation of the RAP, we compared three study groups. Consecutive adult patients (n = 933) with stroke, amputation of the lower limb, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or other neuromuscular disorders, were followed during inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. Main outcome measures were Barthel Index, RAP-CPM (sum score of the domains communication, personal care and mobility), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), length of rehabilitation (LOR) and discharge destination (home vs elsewhere).

Results: Overall results show that scores on the Barthel Index, the RAP-CPM and the NHP improved, on average, by 18.4%, 12.7%, and 6.7%, respectively. However, treatment from a rehabilitation team that uses the RAP was associated with a significantly lower Barthel score, and small, non-significant effects on the RAP-CPM and the NHP. Partial use of the RAP resulted in non-significant, lower scores on these measures. With respect to discharge destination and LOR, there were also no significant differences between the three study groups, with the exception of a shorter outpatient rehabilitation period for the group in which partial use was made of the RAP.

Conclusion: The RAP, at the current level of implementation, does not improve rehabilitation outcome.     

Mirror treatment of lower limb phantom pain: A case study

Purpose: Phantom limb pain (PLP) can be an enduring and distressing experience for people with amputations. Previous research has shown that 'mirror treatment' can reduce PLP for some people who have an upper limb amputation, and that it can increase a sense of motor control over the phantom in people with lower limb amputations who are not reporting PLP. There has been no previous report of therapeutic 'mirror treatment' for lower-limb phantom pain.

Method: We present the first case study of the use of 'mirror treatment' in a person with a lower limb amputation who was reporting PLP at the time of treatment.

Results: During the intervention there was a significant reduction in his PLP, an increase in sense of motor control over the phantom and a change in aspects of the phantom limb that was experienced.

Conclusion: This case study, conducted in a conventional clinical setting, supports the potential of 'mirror treatment' for PLP in people with a lower limb amputation.     

Predictors for successful vocational rehabilitation for clients with back pain problems

Purpose. The aim of this study was to identify predicting factors for successful vocational rehabilitation for people with back pain problems.

Method. The study was based on data from 347 long-term sick-listed clients collected at the onset of vocational rehabilitation. The outcome was measured 6 months after the conclusion of rehabilitation.

Results. In a first bi-variate analysis, a considerable number of variables were associated with the rehabilitation outcome. In a second multivariate analysis, only four associations remained. These were age, general health, vitality and internal locus of control. Young vital clients in good general health, with a high internal locus of control were more likely than others to return to work.

Conclusion. The findings regarding age, general health and vitality are well in line with previous studies. The findings regarding internal locus of control are more unique.     

Physiological responses to multiple speed treadmill walking for Syme vs. transtibial amputation--a case report

Purpose: To date, there have been no longitudinal studies comparing walking at different levels of amputation. The objective of this study was to compare the self-selected walking velocity (SSWV) and selected physiologic variables during walking between a Syme and a later transtibial level of amputation for a single subject. Additional comparison was made between the SACH foot prosthesis and a dynamic response foot prosthesis.

Method: A 35-year-old male with a traumatic Syme amputation later underwent elective transtibial amputation. SSWV and multiple speed treadmill walking tests (53.64, 67.05, 80.46, 93.87 and 107.28 m/min) were evaluated under three conditions (Syme prosthesis with SACH foot, transtibial prosthesis with SACH foot, and transtibial prosthesis with Flex-Foot).

Results: Walking with transtibial prosthesis showed minimal differences in oxygen consumption (0 - 5% reduction), heart rate response (0 - 1% reduction), or gait efficiency (0 - 5% improvement) across all speeds when compared with Syme prosthesis (both with SACH foot). However, the SSWV was 6 - 8% faster for the transtibial SACH foot. Walking with transtibial Flex-Foot required less cardiovascular demand than with transtibial SACH foot at higher speeds.

Conclusions: In this case report, it seemed that transtibial amputation did not have adverse effects on selected physiological responses at a variety of walking speeds when compared to Syme amputation, and that the use of a dynamic response foot enhanced his gait performance. Further experimental studies involving more subjects with traumatic Syme and transtibial amputations are required to better understand the effect of these two levels of amputation on energy cost of walking.