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.     

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.     

Job satisfaction and health experience of people with a lower-limb amputation in comparison with healthy colleagues

OBJECTIVES: To describe indicators of job dissatisfaction among amputee employees and to compare job satisfaction and health experience of working amputee employees with that of control subjects. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study, mailed questionnaire. SETTING: Patients were recruited by the orthopedic workshops of the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-four patients who had an acquired unilateral major amputation of the lower limb at least 2 years before, were aged 18 to 60 years (mean age, 43y), and were living and working in the Netherlands. One hundred forty-four control subjects matched for age, gender, and type of job. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical analysis of responses to a questionnaire regarding patient characteristics and amputation-related factors, amputee patients' opinions about their work and the social atmosphere at work, and their general health (RAND 36-Item Health Survey [RAND-36]). RESULTS: People with an amputation had greater job satisfaction (70%) than did the able-bodied control group (54%). The wish for (better) modifications in the workplace and the presence of comorbidity were significantly related to job dissatisfaction in people with limb loss. Amputee employees were less often hindered by the failures of others and by fluctuations in temperature. People with limb loss showed a worse physical health experience than controls on the RAND-36. CONCLUSIONS: The vocational satisfaction of people with limb loss may be improved by better workplace modifications, depending on the functional capabilities of the person and the functional demands of the job; improvement may also be achieved by vocational rehabilitation programs, especially for those with an amputation in combination with other morbidity. Despite experiencing more health problems, the amputee group expressed greater job satisfaction than the able-bodied group, reflecting a great appreciation of job reintegration by people with a lower-limb amputation.     

Unna and elastic postoperative dressings: comparison of their effects on function of adults with amputation and vascular disease

OBJECTIVES: To compare the functional outcome associated with the use of Unna semirigid dressings (SRD) and elastic bandage soft dressings (ED) for adults with lower limb amputation. DESIGN: Experimental design. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation unit of an urban academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A successive series of adults with vascular disease who had lower limb amputation surgery. Subjects were randomly assigned to the SRD (12 patients with 12 recent amputations) or the ED (9 patients with 10 recent amputations) group. Subjects in each group were not significantly different except for age; those in the SRD group were somewhat older. INTERVENTION: Subjects in the SRD group had Unna dressings applied to the amputation limb by physical therapists trained in the technique. Those in the ED group had elastic bandaging by therapists, nurses, family, and themselves, all of whom were trained in the technique. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the SRD group and 20% of those in the ED group were discharged from the rehabilitation unit ambulating with prostheses. Of those who received prostheses, time from admission to the rehabilitation unit to readiness for fitting averaged 20.8 days for the SRD group and 28.7 days for the ED group. Comparison of survival curves shows that the time from surgery to fitting in the SRD group was almost half that of the ED group; 30% of the SRD group was fitted within 34 days, whereas it took 64 days for the same percentage of the ED group to be fitted. CONCLUSIONS: Unna semirigid dressings are more effective in fostering amputation limb wound healing and preparing the amputation limb for prosthetic fitting. Subjects treated with SRDs were more likely to be fitted with prostheses and to return home walking with a prosthesis.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of rehabilitated bilateral lower limb amputees – an Indian study

Objective: This study assessed activities of daily living (ADL) and ambulation of rehabilitated bilateral lower limb amputees with relation to their level of amputation in an Indian setting. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study of 25 subjects comprised 12 bilateral Trans-femoral (TF) amputees, 8 bilateral Trans-tibial (TT) amputees and 5 a combination of ipsilateral Trans-femoral and contralateral Trans-tibial amputation. All subjects were contacted by post/telephone, were physically examined and assessed at the Orthopaedic clinic at a mean follow-up of 6.6 years. Physical rehabilitation was evaluated using ADL score and by grading the level of ambulation. Results: ADL scores showed no significant difference according to level of amputation (p > 0.05), but the scores of prosthetic users were significantly higher than non-prosthetic users (p?=?0.002). Only 11/25 amputees became prosthetic ambulators and most (50%, 6/12) were TF amputees. All prosthetically rehabilitated subjects were mobilising with their prostheses at follow-up and graded as unlimited or limited community ambulators. Conclusion: Though it is well documented that the potential for successful rehabilitation is best for bilateral TT amputees, given the subjects’ economic constraints, higher prosthesis rehabilitation among bilateral TF amputees indicates that successful rehabilitation is possible in most subjects irrespective of the level of amputation.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation of a bilateral lower limb amputee requires a team effort and constitutes a very difficult challenge for the subject.

• Low prosthesis ownership is largely due to subjects’ inability to afford a pair of prostheses in a developing country like India.

• Activities of daily living improve significantly with use of prostheses.

• Though it is well documented that the potential for successful rehabilitation is best for a bilateral TT amputee, higher prosthesis rehabilitation among bilateral TF subjects in this study indicates that successful rehabilitation is possible in most subjects irrespective of the level of amputation.

     

Amputation stump management: A narrative review

In this review intended for medical staff involved in patient rehabilitation, we provided an overview of the basic methods for managing amputation stumps. After the amputation surgery, it is imperative to optimize the remaining physical abilities of the amputee through rehabilitation processes, including postoperative rehabilitation, desensitization, and continuous application of soft or rigid dressings for pain reduction and shaping of the stump. Depending on the situation, a prosthesis may be worn in the early stage of recovery or an immediate postoperative prosthesis may be applied to promote stump maturation. Subsequently, to maintain the range of motion of the stump and to prevent deformation, the remaining portion of the limb should be positioned to prevent contracture. Continuous exercises should also be performed to improve muscle strength to ensure that the amputee is able to perform activities of daily living, independently. Additionally, clean wound or edema management of the stump is necessary to prevent problems associated with wearing the prosthesis. Our review is expected to contribute to the establishment of basic protocols that will be useful for stump management from the time of completion of amputation surgery to the fitting of a prosthesis to optimize patient recovery.     

Temperature measurement and control system for transtibial prostheses: Single subject clinical evaluation

The snug fit of a prosthetic socket over the residual limb can disturb thermal balance and put skin integrity in jeopardy by providing an unpleasant and infectious environment. The prototype of a temperature measurement and control (TM&C) system was previously introduced to resolve thermal problems related to prostheses. This study evaluates its clinical application in a setting with reversal, single subject design. The TM&C system was installed on a fabricated prosthetic socket of a man with unilateral transtibial amputation. Skin temperature of the residual limb without prosthesis at baseline and with prosthesis during rest and walking was evaluated. The thermal sense and thermal comfort of the participant were also evaluated. The results showed different skin temperature around the residual limb with a temperature decrease tendency from proximal to distal. The TM&C system decreased skin temperature rise after prosthesis wearing. The same situation occurred during walking, but the thermal power of the TM&C system was insufficient to overcome heat build-up in some regions of the residual limb. The participant reported no significant change of thermal sense and thermal comfort. Further investigations are warranted to examine thermography pattern of the residual limb, thermal sense, and thermal comfort in people with amputation.     

Employment status, job characteristics, and work-related health experience of people with a lower limb amputation in The Netherlands

OBJECTIVES: To describe the occupational situation of people with lower limb amputations in The Netherlands and to compare the health experience of working and nonworking amputee patients with a nonimpaired reference population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in which patients completed a questionnaire about their job participation, type of job, workplace adjustments to their limb loss, their position in the company, and a general health questionnaire. SETTING: Orthopedic workshops in The Netherlands with a population of lower limb amputees. PATIENTS: Subjects were recruited from orthopedic workshops in the Netherlands. They ranged in age from 18 to 60 years (mean, 44.5yr) and had a lower limb amputated at least 2 years (mean, 19.6yr) before this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A self-report questionnaire, with 1 part concerning patient characteristics and amputation-related factors, and the other concerning job characteristics, vocational handicaps, work adjustments, and working conditions; and a general health questionnaire (RAND-36) to measure health status. RESULTS: Responses were received from 652 of the 687 patients (response rate, 95%) who were sent the questionnaire. Sixty-four percent of the respondents were working at the time of the study (comparable with the employment rate of the general Dutch population), 31% had work experience but were not presently working, and 5% had no work experience. After their amputations, people shifted to less physically demanding work. The mean delay between the amputation and the return to work was 2.3 years. Many people wished their work was better adjusted to the limitations presented by their disability and they mentioned having problems concerning possibilities for promotion. Seventy-eight percent of those who stopped working within 2 years after the amputation said that amputation-related factors played a role in their decision. Thirty-four percent said that they might have worked longer if certain adjustments had been made. The health experience of people who were no longer working was significantly worse than that of the working people with amputations. CONCLUSIONS: Although amputee patients had a relatively good rate of job participation, they reported problems concerning the long delay between amputation and return to work, problems in finding suitable jobs, fewer possibilities for promotion, and problems in obtaining needed workplace modifications. People who had to stop working because of the amputation showed a worse health experience than working people.     

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.     

Return to work after lower limb amputation

This study investigated the proportion of patients who returned to work following amputation and the factors that influenced a positive or negative outcome. One hundred patients of working age who had sustained unilateral lower limb amputation at least 1 year previously and who were established prosthesis users participated in the study. A specially designed questionnaire similar to a guided interview was administered by the rehabilitation physician at the patients' routine follow-ups. The questionnaire yielded a unique score dependent on whether return to work (or a different or preferred occupation) had been achieved with good or reduced productivity. All patients were eligible for mobility benefit, including schemes to purchase suitably adapted vehicles if necessary. However, no vocational rehabilitation was available. Sixty-six per cent of patients returned to employment and this was related to mobility, time since amputation and Handicap Scale scores. Age, socket comfort, level and cause of amputation, type of previous work or the presence of other medical problems did not differ between those who did and did not return to work. The Employment Questionnaire showed good correspondence with the London Handicap Scale, indicating some concurrent validity, although future development might include consideration of psychological factors, which could explain more of the reasons for continued unemployment.     

High failure rates when avoiding obstacles during treadmill walking in patients with a transtibial amputation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if and to what extent patients with a transtibial amputation are less successful in avoiding unexpected obstacles while walking than healthy adults. DESIGN: Experimental 2-group design. SETTING: Dutch rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven patients with a transtibial amputation and 14 healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects walked on a treadmill at .56m/s. In 2 series of 12 trials each, an obstacle was dropped in front of the prosthetic or the nonprosthetic leg of the amputation group and the left leg of the control group at different phases during the step cycle. It was noted which avoidance strategy was used (a long step strategy [LSS] or a short step strategy [SSS]) and whether the obstacle was avoided successfully or not. These data were expressed as a percentage of the total number of trials completed by each subject. RESULTS: With either leg, the amputation group made significantly more errors than the control subjects (prosthetic leg, 24%+/-17%; nonprosthetic leg, 21%+/-17% vs 2%+/-2% for the control group). Highest failure rates were in the amputation group when time pressure was high, requiring an SSS, especially on the prosthetic side. An LSS under time pressure, however, nearly always resulted in failure for both the prosthetic and nonprosthetic legs. Subjects with the longest time since amputation were most successful in avoiding unexpected obstacles. CONCLUSIONS: Under time pressure, patients with a lower-leg prosthesis perform best when they use their nonprosthetic leg as the lead limb in an SSS. The fact that some subjects with the longest time since amputation made no errors suggests that over many years it is possible to relearn the appropriate avoidance reactions sufficiently fast.     

Psychosocial and physical adjustments and prosthesis satisfaction in amputees: a systematic review of observational studies

Abstract

Background: Adjustment to amputation is a complex process because it encompasses physical and psychosocial aspects as well as satisfaction with the artificial limb.

Purpose: To review the scientific production on psychosocial and physical adjustments to amputation and prosthesis use as well as prosthetic satisfaction in people with lower limb amputation in the last 10?years.

Methods: This review was conducted on the MEDLINE via Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Original and observational studies published in the last 10?years were included, with topics related to adjustment to amputation and prosthesis use as well as prosthetic satisfaction in people with lower limb amputations.

Results: A total of 1042 articles were identified in the initial search, but after analysing the criteria 16 articles were used for analysis in their entirety. Regarding psychosocial adjustments, higher rates of depression, anxiety and body image disorders were observed among people with amputations. Phantom and residual limb pain, gender, employment status and daily hours of prosthesis use may influence psychosocial adjustment. Physical adjustment may be influenced by the level of amputation, educational background, age, daily prosthesis use, ambulatory assistive devices and presence of comorbidities. The areas of greatest prosthetic dissatisfaction were colour and weight.

Conclusion: Considering that most of the studies related to the satisfaction and adjustment of the prosthesis are cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies should be conducted, since monitoring individuals over the years and verifying how these variables change over time may contribute to obtaining more data on the factors that influence prosthetic fitting and satisfaction.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Adjustment to amputation and prosthesis use involves both physical and psychosocial issues, it is important that besides physical rehabilitation, psychological interventions and education and communication activities between the patient and the health professionals are carried out.

• The adaptation to the prosthesis and the recovery of walking capacity are important goals in the rehabilitation process and the knowledge of the physical and psychosocial factors associated with amputation and the use of the prosthesis can help the health team to provide better care to these subjects.

• Well-adjusted, comfortable and easy-to-use prostheses are of great importance as they enable the patient to perform their daily activities and maintain their independence.

• It is important to encourage the participation of the individual in both rehabilitation and choice of prosthesis.

     

Phantom limb pain and residual limb pain following lower limb amputation: a descriptive analysis

Purpose: This research aimed to develop a clearer picture of the experience of residual limb pain and phantom limb pain following a lower limb amputation and to gain a greater understanding of their relationships with physical and psychosocial variables. Method: One hundred and four participants completed the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES), which includes a section on each of, psychosocial issues, activity restriction, satisfaction with a prosthesis and pain (incidence, duration, level and extent of interference). Results: The results showed that 48.1% of the sample experienced residual limb pain and 69.2% experienced phantom limb pain. While fewer people experienced residual limb pain, those who did, experienced it for longer periods, at a greater level of intensity and with a greater amount of interference in their daily lifestyle, than people who were experiencing phantom limb pain. The experience of residual limb pain was associated with other medical problems and low levels of Adjustment to Limitation. Phantom limb pain was associated with older age, being female, above knee amputation, causes other than congenital causes, not receiving support prior to the amputation, the experience of other medical problems, low scores on Adjustment to Limitation and high scores on Aesthetic Satisfaction with the prosthesis. Conclusion: These findings provide a greater understanding of the issues to be taken into consideration in the rehabilitation of people with a lower limb amputation.     

Validity of method to quantify transtibial amputees' free-living prosthetic wearing times and physical activity levels when using suction suspension sockets

Prostheses are prescribed to restore the mobility of people with amputated lower limbs. Monitoring the prosthesis wearing times and physical activity of prosthesis users would provide invaluable information regarding rehabilitation progress and suitability of the prosthesis. The validation of a method to determine wearing times and physical activity state, as well as strides taken, of amputees wearing suction suspension sockets is reported. Eight participants with transtibial amputation were fitted with custom-made suction sockets. Analysis algorithms were used to automatically characterize physical activity based on the pressure at the socket's relief valve. The algorithms were validated in a laboratory-based protocol that included walking, stair climbing, standing, sitting, donning, and doffing. Intraclass correlation coefficient (2,1) values of >0.98 were achieved with mean differences of - 2.0%, 0.3%, 1.3%, and 0.7% for agreement between "off," "static," and "dynamic" times and stride count, respectively, as determined by the analysis algorithms and a concurrent video analysis. This study demonstrates that an interpretation of the pressure at the pressure-relief valve of suction suspension sockets can be used to determine wearing times and activity state.     

Phantom limb pain and residual limb pain following lower limb amputation: a descriptive analysis

Purpose: This research aimed to develop a clearer picture of the experience of residual limb pain and phantom limb pain following a lower limb amputation and to gain a greater understanding of their relationships with physical and psychosocial variables. Method: One hundred and four participants completed the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales (TAPES), which includes a section on each of, psychosocial issues, activity restriction, satisfaction with a prosthesis and pain (incidence, duration, level and extent of interference). Results: The results showed that 48.1% of the sample experienced residual limb pain and 69.2% experienced phantom limb pain. While fewer people experienced residual limb pain, those who did, experienced it for longer periods, at a greater level of intensity and with a greater amount of interference in their daily lifestyle, than people who were experiencing phantom limb pain. The experience of residual limb pain was associated with other medical problems and low levels of Adjustment to Limitation. Phantom limb pain was associated with older age, being female, above knee amputation, causes other than congenital causes, not receiving support prior to the amputation, the experience of other medical problems, low scores on Adjustment to Limitation and high scores on Aesthetic Satisfaction with the prosthesis. Conclusion: These findings provide a greater understanding of the issues to be taken into consideration in the rehabilitation of people with a lower limb amputation.     

Predictive factors for successful early prosthetic ambulation among lower-limb amputees

OBJECTIVE: To predict successful prosthetic ambulation for patients immediately transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility after amputation surgery. METHODS: Seventy-five individuals with lower-limb amputation were studied at a tertiary acute care and rehabilitation facility. Successful prosthetic ambulation, defined as the ability to ambulate with a prosthesis at least 45 m, was measured in addition to other key demographic and medical factors. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent were successful prosthetic ambulators at rehabilitation discharge. The absence of residual-limb contracture and a longer length of stay during rehabilitation showed a significant relationship to successful prosthetic ambulation with regression analysis. Younger age was modestly correlated to outcome. There were no significant differences when comparing success of the early rehabilitation program with surgical level or etiology of amputation. For successful prosthetic users, mean wear time at rehabilitation discharge was 5.7 hours with a mean distance walked of 67 m. Of those who failed this approach, 70% were related to a failure of wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, 68% of patients who were selected for a trial of early prosthetic rehabilitation ambulated using a prosthesis at rehabilitation discharge. This approach appears to be more effective for younger patients without contractures who are medically stable to participate in the rehabilitation process.