Use of lower limb prosthesis among elderly amputees

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics & Orthotics

Background:

• Lower limb amputation affects elderly individuals, with diabetes mellitus, vascular occlusion, and skin carcinoma being primary causes.
• Below-knee amputation is the most prevalent type, impacting patient rehabilitation and prosthesis use.
• Prosthetic complications such as stump pain, pressure ulcers, and infections affect a significant portion of elderly amputees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing prosthesis use and rehabilitation outcomes in elderly lower limb amputees.
• To identify common complications associated with prosthetic use in this demographic.
• To explore the role of psychological factors in the rehabilitation success of elderly amputees.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 47 elderly patients (65-91 years) with lower limb amputations and fitted prostheses.
• Data collection included amputation causes, prosthesis complications, usage patterns, and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Analysis focused on correlations between patient demographics, prosthesis-related issues, and functional status.

Main Results:

• Diabetes mellitus, vascular occlusion, and skin carcinoma were leading causes of amputation.
• Stump pain, pressure ulcers, and stump infections were the most frequent prosthesis complications.
• Male amputees generally demonstrated better prosthesis use and functional outcomes, often motivated by mobility needs, compared to females who prioritized cosmesis.

Conclusions:

• Psychological factors, including perceived loss of mobility, significantly influence rehabilitation outcomes in elderly amputees, often overriding physical conditions.
• Age at amputation and current age did not correlate with prosthesis usage frequency or rehabilitation success.
• Addressing psychological barriers is crucial for optimizing prosthetic rehabilitation in the elderly population.