Effect of elastic bandaging and prosthesis on the decrease in stump volume

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of elastic bandaging, pneumatic prosthesis, and temporary prosthesis on postoperative stump management.

This study included 14 patients, between 15 and 70 years old, whose causes of amputation were tumor, diabetes, Burger's disease, osteomyelitis, and traffic accident. Fifteen stumps in 14 patients, one of whom was bilateral, were evaluated. The elastic bandaging was applied for five stumps, the pneumatic prosthesis for five stumps, and temporary prosthesis for five stumps.

A decrease in stump volume was observed for at least 2 or 3 weeks after the use of all three methods in patients who came to the Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory at Ankara University. The volume decrease induced by temporary prosthesis fitting was more significant than that achieved using elastic bandaging or pneumatic prosthetics (p<0.01). The greatest volume changes were identified distally for the elastic bandage group, proximally for the pneumatic group, and medially for the temporarily applied prosthesis group. The temporary prosthesis group took less time to permanent prosthesis (39 days) and required less prosthesis training (p<0.01). Three amputees in the elastic bandaging group had postoperative contractures.

Use of a temporary prosthesis results in ideal shaping of the stump in the shortest period of time. This approach also shortens the period of transition to permanent prosthesis, improves the quality of life of the amputee, and re-integrates the patient to normal life over a shorter period of time.