The effect of medium-tension bandage and stump stocking on residual limb maturation in earthquake survivors.

Abstract

Residual limb maturation is a crucial stage in postamputation care. It was aimed to examine the effect of medium tension bandages and stump stockings on postamputation stump maturation in patients who underwent lower extremity amputations. In this prospective observational study, patients who were earthquake survivors and had undergone emergency amputation of their lower extremities were included. Medium-tension elastic bandage or personalized stump stockings were used for stump maturation. Residual limb volume was measured once a week for 3 weeks. The study included 23 patients and 29 amputated limbs. Because of the larger stump volume of transfemoral amputations and the higher number of these patients in the stocking group ( p < 0.001), the stump volume differed across groups before and during the follow-up ( p < 0.001). There was no difference in mean volumetric measurement between the bandage and stocking groups over time ( p = 0.272). Although the group interaction was significant (p < 0.001), the group × time interaction was not ( p = 0.306). Medium-tension bandages and stump stockings had a similar effect on postamputation stump maturation in patients with lower extremity amputations. So, depending on the patient's and physician's preferences, both procedures can be used for stump maturation.