Bariatric amputee: A growing problem?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics Engineering

Background:

• Reviews the prevalence of overweight and obese patients undergoing lower limb amputation rehabilitation.
• Focuses on patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 within UK disablement services centres.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical standards for amputee rehabilitation, specifically weight recording and prosthetic prescription.
• To identify ambulant lower limb amputees with body weight exceeding 100 kg.
• To ensure lower limb amputees are provided with weight-rated prostheses.

Main Methods:

• Observational study of clinical practice in seven UK disablement services centres.
• Data collected from Clinical Information Management Systems.
• Inclusion criteria: ambulant prosthetic users with recent prosthetic intervention and at least one lower limb amputation.

Main Results:

• Weight records were maintained for 96% of patients.
• 86% of patients weighed under 100 kg, the common limit for prosthetic components.
• 1830 transfemoral and transtibial amputations involved users over 100 kg; 60 cases had prostheses rated below user weight.

Conclusions:

• Body weight documented for 96% of patients; 97% had prosthetic limb builds within weight limits.
• Obesity is a growing concern, exacerbating health issues for amputees.
• Prosthetic component weight limits present challenges for safe and suitable provision for heavier amputees.