Rehabilitation outcome following war-related transtibial amputation in Kosovo.

BACKGROUND: Previous literature has suggested that age, level of amputation, residual limb length, comorbidities, mental disorders, and cause of amputation can affect the ability to successfully ambulate with prosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the predictors that affect the rehabilitation outcome of war-related transtibial amputees and the relationship of these factors with ambulation ability after prosthetic fitting.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study.

METHODS: We reviewed the records of 69 war-related transtibial amputees. The rehabilitation outcome was analyzed according to the grade of rehabilitation summarized in three grades. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds of achieving the first rehabilitation grade.

RESULTS: The majority of patients with transtibial amputations achieved the first grade of rehabilitation (59.4%). The factors that significantly influenced the achievement of the first grade of rehabilitation were age and absence of posttraumatic stress disorder. For every 1-year increase in patient age, the odds of achieving first grade of rehabilitation decreased by a factor of 0.9. Patients without posttraumatic stress disorder had 12.9 greater odds of achieving the first rehabilitation grade compared to patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.

CONCLUSION: Achievement of the first grade of rehabilitation among war-related transtibial amputees is dependent on patient age and the absence of posttraumatic stress disorder.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the factors that may affect the rehabilitation outcome of war-related amputees could lead to a more specific organization of the rehabilitation, especially in a country that has recently been involved in war. This is the first study to focus on determinants of prosthetic rehabilitation in these patients.