Preoperative characteristics and functional outcomes of lower limb amputees treated at Southern Älvsborg Hospital, Sweden

Abstract

Within the prosthetics profession, there is a lack of evidence to support many clinical practices. It is therefore important that clinicians systematically document and evaluate their daily practices. To record preoperative characteristics and functional outcomes for patients with a lower limb amputation and to investigate variations between prosthetic users and non-prosthetic users. Prospective cohort study. A total of 23 patients (mean age = 80 years, standard deviation = 7.3) who underwent a major lower limb amputation were assessed within 2 weeks of admission and 6 months post-operatively. Locomotor Capabilities Index-5, the Timed-Up-and-Go Test and prosthetic use were used to evaluate functional outcomes. A total of 13 participants (57%) received a prosthesis within 6 months of amputation. Mean time to prosthetic fitting was 48 days (range = 28-97). No statistically significant difference was found between prosthetic users and non-prosthetic users regarding age, time to rehabilitation and Locomotor Capabilities Index-5 (p > 0.05). Locomotor Capabilities Index-5 basic was significantly lower at 6 months than prior to amputation (p = 0.039). The functional outcome at 6 months indicates a sizable restriction in mobility among lower limb amputees. No variation in preoperative characteristics between prosthetic users and non-prosthetic users could be confirmed in this study. This study highlights the need for prosthetists to better incorporate research findings into their daily practice and presents an example of how to implement a procedure for assessment and documentation of patients' functional outcomes in a clinical setting. Results confirm difficulties in identifying amputees who will become prosthetic users based on preoperative characteristics.