The mobility outcome for amputees with rheumatoid arthritis is poor

This study examines the reasons for amputation of the lower limb in 11 patients with RA. The reasons for amputation were ischaemia due to peripheral vascular disease; rheumatoid vasculitis; or complications of knee arthroplasty. Delayed healing was common in patients on steroid therapy. The patients had difficulty donning and doffing their prostheses due to poor hand function and impaired agility. Walking training and rehabilitation were slow and tended to precipitate a generalized flare-up of disease activity. Rheumatoid nodules developed on pressure points between stump and socket. Despite these problems the majority of patients preferred to wear a prosthesis for help in transferring in and out of the wheelchair, to complete their appearance and for limited mobility. Most found using an electric powered indoor wheelchair helped maintain their independence.