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

BACKGROUND: 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.

OBJECTIVES: 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.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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).

CONCLUSION: 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.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 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.