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Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

下肢截肢患者的長期義肢使用與功能追蹤

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate prosthesis use among patients who underwent lower extremity amputation owing to peripheral vascular disease and evaluate their functional outcome after returning to the community. We retrospectively reviewarticleed medical charts of patients who underwent lower extremity amputation from 1993 to 1999. The causes of amputation, the level of amputation and patient's health condition were recorded. We then surveyed the patients by telephone, and recorded the stump condition, difficulties encountered in daily activities, and functional status. From January 1993 to December 1999, 347 patients underwent lower-limb amputations in our hospital. Of them, 174 died, 67 were lost follow-up, and 106 completed the telephone survey. Of the 106 patients, 64 underwent a major amputation and were included in this study. Their mean age was 72.2±11.1 years and the mean duration of follow-up was 4.1±1.7 years. The study group consisted of 40(62.5%)men and 45 women. Forty-five (70.3%) were unilateral amputees. Among the 64 major amputees, the number of patients who were independent in self-feeding was 34 (53.1%), grooming 40 (62.5%), bathing 35 (54.7%), dressing the upper body 39 (60.9%), dressing the lower body 36 (56.3%), and toileting 40 (71.1%). Fifty-six (87.5%) patients wore prostheses and 44 (78.6%) of them were continuing to use their prosthesis at follow-up. Stump pain was the primary reason to abandon the prosthesis. Of patients who continued to use their prosthesis, only 29.6% were satisfied with it. Common problems that unilateral amputees encountered were difficulties in donning and removing the prosthesis, cost of the prosthesis, and stump pain. Among bilateral amputees, the heavy weight of the prosthesis, exertional dyspnea and propensity to fall were the common complaints. Among the 36 patients who underwent unilateral amputation, 25 (69.4%) could walk for 50 meters at the time of follow-up. Among the patients who underwent bilateral amputation, only five (62.5%) could walk for 50 meters. After lower extremity amputations, most patients wore prostheses and continued to use them in the community. Although most patients could walk independently, only 29.6% expressed satisfaction with their prostheses. These findings provide the rehabilitation team with valuable information and could lead to prosthesis tailoring for patients with lower extremity amputations.

Language

Traditional Chinese

First Page

63

Last Page

70

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