Rehabilitation of patients with war-related lower limb amputations.

AIM: To investigate the influence of factors: the amputation type and the time lag between last surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation, on the rehabilitation duration and outcome, in patients with war-related lower limb amputations.

METHODS AND SUBJECTS: We reviewed the records of 101 war-related lower limb amputees who had inpatient rehabilitation at the National Ortho-Prosthetic Centre (NOPC) of Kosovo in Pristina, from July 1999 to June 2001, a retrospective observational study. Assessment of rehabilitation outcome-ambulation grade with prosthesis, is made on a 3-point scale.

RESULTS: The amputation type was shown as an important predictor for the rehabilitation duration and outcome. The analysis by comparative groups has confirmed the amputation type to be of biggest importance. Earlier prosthetic rehabilitation, was shown as a factor of influence on the rehabilitation duration in all cases (r=0.22, P=0.027). This predictor was not relevant for the rehabilitation outcome. The most frequent type of prosthesis manufactured for the amputees, was the patellar tendon bearing below-knee prosthesis with suspension band (36.9%).

CONCLUSION: Amputation of the limb should be performed as low as possible. If there are possibilities for prosthetic rehabilitation, any delays must be avoided, particularly in war-related lower limb amputees.