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Prosthesis rejection in acquired major upper-limb amputees: a population-based survey
Kristin Østlie1, Ingrid Marie Lesjø, Rosemary Joy Franklin
1Innlandet Hospital Trust, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ottestad, Norway. kristin.ostlie@sykehuset-innlandet.no
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|November 25, 2011
Summary
About 4.5% of upper-limb amputees (ULAs) initially rejected prostheses, with 13.4% discontinuing use later. Key factors influencing rejection include perceived need, comfort, function, and amputation level, particularly in older individuals and women.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Acquired major upper-limb amputations (ULAs) present significant challenges for individuals seeking to regain function.
- Prosthetic fitting and long-term use are critical for improving quality of life in ULAs.
- Understanding factors influencing prosthesis rejection is essential for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of primary and secondary prosthesis rejection among acquired major upper-limb amputees (ULAs).
- To identify the primary reasons contributing to prosthesis rejection.
- To analyze the impact of demographic and clinical factors on the likelihood of prosthesis rejection.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing population-based questionnaire data from 224 upper-limb amputees (ULAs).
- Statistical analysis employed logistic regression and Cox regression models to assess risk factors.
- Data collection focused on primary and secondary prosthesis rejection rates and associated reasons.
Main Results:
- Primary prosthesis rejection occurred in 4.5% of ULAs, while 13.4% discontinued prosthesis use after initial acceptance.
- Common reasons for primary rejection included a perceived lack of need and a mismatch between perceived needs and available prostheses.
- Secondary rejection was often linked to dissatisfaction with prosthetic comfort, function, and control, with higher rates in proximal ULAs and women.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should recognize elevated rejection risks in proximal ULAs, elderly ULAs, and women.
- Tailoring prosthetic fitting to individual needs is crucial for successful adoption and long-term use.
- Enhancing prosthesis quality and providing individualized prosthetic training may improve sustained prosthesis utilization.
