Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS