Recreational activities of lower extremity amputees: a survey

This study summarizes a detailed questionnaire evaluation of recreational activities participated in by 100 persons with lower extremity amputations. Additional information was obtained from prosthetists and physical therapists. Approximately 60% of the respondents are active in sports. Younger persons of either sex, who have had amputations for congenital deformities or trauma, are most active. Level of amputation does not appear to be a determining factor as to whether amputees participated or not. The most common recreational activities are fishing and swimming. Sports causing the amputee most discomfort are hunting and jogging. The ability to run and jump is the most difficult to achieve. Reasons for non-participation are pain, embarrassment, insufficient training and lack of organized sports programs for the disabled. Fear of further injury or an overprotective family are not inhibiting factors, nor is cost of the prosthesis. Only a few people wear specifically designed recreational prostheses, and only one-third of the amputees believe that their prosthetist is knowledgeable about recreational prostheses, while 40% feel the prosthetist discouraged their own ideas about prosthetic innovations. Therapists also proved inadequate in their knowledge and efforts at preparing the amputee for recreation. The amputees indicate a need for improved prosthetic design, and believe that insufficient information, both verbal and written, was given to them.