[A rehabilitation unit for geriatric amputees (author's transl)]

Elderly leg amputees are patients with the most somatic, emotional and social problems requiring rehabilitation assistance. Expensive artificial limbs often cannot be used because many detailed questions are left to chance. In order to coordinate the rehabilitation of these patients in an optimal manner and utilise the invested means efficiently, a specialised rehabilitation centre was organised at the Medizinisch-Geriatrische Klinik I of the Felix-Platter-Spital Basle and its mode of organisation was intentionally designed to be simple and flexible. The rehabilitation team consists of staff members of the Orthopedic and Geriatric Department of the hospital. From 1974-1978, 59 geriatric amputees aged 60-90 years were cared for and 75% could later be discharged to their own homes. In spite of the advanced age and various illnesses of these patients, the results of the rehabilitation unit are encouraging. However, prime importance should be given to finding a suitable milieu after dismissal.