[Rehabilitation of nursing home patients with a leg amputation. A retrospective study]

In order to assess the effect of rehabilitation of lower-extremity amputees in a nursing home, a retrospective study was conducted. The results were compared with existing Dutch data. Moreover, the influence of several selected factors on the results of rehabilitation was assessed. The study covered a period of five years and concerned 61 patients admitted with a lower-extremity amputation. Their median age was 73 (range 38-91) years. After rehabilitation two-thirds of the patients were able to walk with an ambulatory aid and five without; a quarter came to depend on a wheelchair. Return to home or sheltered housing was possible for almost three-quarters of the patients. Only one out of eight selected factors was in this study of influence on the results of rehabilitation i.e. motivation.