Socio-economic outcome of paraplegia compared to lower limb amputation

The socio-economic outcome was retrospectively compared between patients with traumatic lower limb amputation and those with paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury (SCI).

To evaluate the effect of specific rehabilitative procedures on the socio-economic outcome.

Paraplegic Centre at the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.

Accidents occurring in a collective of 1.9 million persons in Switzerland over 3 years were included in the study. Fifty-six persons with unilateral amputation of lower limbs were compared with 54 persons with paraplegia. The follow-up was assessed over 5 years.

The following data was obtained in patients with amputations compared to those with SCI (median values): (1) hospital stay: 150 versus 164 days; (2) the work was taken up after 689 versus 616 days; (3) the global average case costs amounted to SFr. 491.000 versus SFr. 606.000 during the first 5 years after injury; (4) the permanent degree of disability was determined to 40% versus 42%. Except for the global costs, all differences were not significant.

There are only a few differences between the socio-economic outcomes between patients with lower limb amputations and those with paraplegia. It remains unclear if the highly specialised rehabilitation services provided for patients with SCI accounts for the similarity since individuals with SCI have additional neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder and bowel. Alternatively, the data may suggest a need for greater rehabilitation services for amputees or may reflect a threshold effect in rehabilitation outcomes.