Success rates for rehabilitation of vascular amputees: Implications for preoperative assessment and amputation level
✍ Scribed by A. D. Houghton; P. R. Taylor; S. Thurlow; E. Rootes; I. McColl
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1992
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 383 KB
- Volume
- 79
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0007-1323
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✦ Synopsis
All lower limb amputations performed during 1986 and 1988 in eight hospitals in the south-east region were assessed. Of 440 amputations for vascular disease, 75 died in hospital, 113 were considered unsuitable f o r a prosthesis and 252 (57 per cent j were referred for prostheses. Rehabilitation questionnaires were sent to 179 patients (41 per cent), as a further 54 had died and 19 had become known non-wearers before the study commenced. The response rate was 81 per cent; 102 patients completed the questionnaire, 21 were reported dead, and 22 were non-wearers. Of a maximum rehabilitation score of 12, 52 patients scored 6 or more (consistent with mobility on their artijicial limb around the home), and 21 scored 9 or more ( a standard accepted as successful rehabilitation). It is concluded that 10-15per cent of amputees achieve mobility around the home on their prosthesis. Only 5 per cent, however, rehabilitate well and become independent of their wheelchair. When amputation is inevitable, more consideration should be given to surgery that optimizes