Article

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of pain in the vertebral column on the
activities of daily living (ADL) level of war victims with bilateral lower limb
amputation. METHOD: All the war-related bilateral lower limb amputees were
invited. More than half of them (n = 335) participated and underwent a thorough
assessment after giving informed consent. RESULTS: The majority of the
participants were male (97.6%). Their mean age was 42 years and 97.6% of them
were married. The most common causes of injury leading to amputation were shells
of artillery and mortar (56.7%). The most common level of amputation was
bilateral transtibial (37.6%) and 64% were wearing the prosthesis of both sides.
The most ADL dependency were transfer activities (27.8%) and bathing (23.3%) and
the most independent functioning was eating (97.6%). Upper cervical vertebral
pain was associated with dependency in the bowel and bladder management and
dressing (p < 0.03 and p < 0.04, respectively). Pain in the lower cervical
vertebrae was associated with dependency in toileting and dressing (p < 0.01 and
p < 0.01, respectively). There were significant relationships between pain in the
thoracic vertebrae and dependency in bathing, transfer activities and toileting
(p < 0.02, p < 0.003 and p < 0.03, respectively). Pain in the lumbosacral region
had a relationship with the level of amputation, transfer activities and
toileting (p < 0.006, p < 0.03 and p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
Vertebral pain in bilateral lower limb amputees, especially lumbosacral pain, was
accompanied with higher dependency in ADL. Therefore, a multidisciplinary
approach to the management of pain is required to minimize disability and
maximize functioning.

Langue : ANGLAIS