Self-Management in Persons with Limb Loss: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Patient Self-Management

Background:

• Self-management is vital for individuals with long-term conditions, including limb loss.
• Effective self-care of the residual limb, prosthesis, and socket interface is essential to prevent complications like skin breakdown and falls.
• There is a significant gap in evidence regarding effective self-management interventions for preventing secondary complications in people with limb loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on self-management interventions and outcomes for individuals with limb loss.
• To analyze the impact of self-management on residual limb health and prosthesis use.
• To identify gaps in the current evidence base for limb loss self-management.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted across multiple databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on self-management interventions or outcomes, including skin integrity, prosthesis fit, and complication prevention education.
• The Cincinnati Childrens' LEGEND appraisal forms were utilized for article analysis and grading.

Main Results:

• Seven articles met the inclusion criteria out of 40 initially identified.
• Three articles specifically addressed silicone liner management.
• Four articles focused on residual limb skin issues related to self-management.

Conclusions:

• Self-management is a critical factor in preventing complications for individuals with limb loss.
• There is a notable lack of high-quality experimental studies on self-management interventions for limb loss compared to other conditions like diabetes.
• Further research is required to establish optimal self-management strategies and interventions for this population.