Psychological adjustment of children awaiting limb reconstruction treatment

The psychological profiles of 53 children aged 6-17 years, with congenital and acquired limb abnormalities attending a limb reconstruction centre, were examined to determine the level of need for pretreatment psychological intervention. The profiles of two groups presenting for treatment--patients of short stature and those with other limb abnormalities--were compared with each other and with general population norms. Standardized questionnaires were administered to patients and their parents during pretreatment assessment visits to the clinic. There were few differences between the families taking part in this study and the general population norms, or between the scores of children with short stature and those with other limb abnormalities. These results may indicate that most children awaiting limb reconstructive surgery are not in need of psychological intervention other than the support routinely offered. The findings are discussed in terms of the biases which may be reflected in the referral process, possible protective effects of family environment factors and clinical support systems, and the impact of the timing of the assessments. Implications for future research are discussed.