Exo-Prothesenregister

Background

The establishment of a database to document healthcare of lower limb amputees constitutes a medical necessity. Although various medical specialties perform amputations, the standardization of treatment strategies from amputation to fitting a prosthesis has to be optimized.

Material and methods

From August 2013 to August 2017 clinical data of lower limb amputees were prospectively recorded in our database. A medical and prosthetic documentation and a patient-based questionnaire were used to evaluate data with respect to the amputation, stump conditions, range of motion and strength and the status of the prosthesis.

Results

Analysis of 257 lower limb amputees showed that 232 (90%) patients had a major and 25 (10%) a minor amputation, mostly due to an accident, infection, sepsis and circulatory disorders. Overall 182 (71%) patients had a prosthesis, 42 (16%) had no prosthesis and in 33 (13%) patients no information was provided. Although 23% of the 182 patients had a prosthesis fitted, they were not able to use the prosthesis due to stump problems or inadequate fitting.

Conclusion

The implementation of the amputation register and of a preoperative interdisciplinary board contribute to optimized treatment strategies and a faster reintegration into employment and normal activities of daily life. A multicentric distibution with interclinical possibilities of comparison can help to define interdisciplinary standards and quality characteristics.