Mobility of persons after traumatic lower limb amputation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Traumatic lower limb amputation presents significant challenges to mobility and independence.
• Understanding factors influencing long-term mobility is crucial for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.
• Prosthetic technology plays a vital role in restoring function after amputation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the time elapsed since traumatic lower limb amputation and the mobility levels of affected individuals.
• To identify factors associated with better mobility outcomes in the long term.
• To assess the impact of prosthesis use on daily functional independence.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 223 individuals with traumatic lower limb amputations residing in Slovenia.
• Data collection via a specialized questionnaire assessing prosthesis usage, walking ability, stair climbing, and other mobility-related activities.
• Statistical analysis of questionnaire responses to identify correlations and trends.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (74.2%) use their prosthesis for over 7 hours daily.
• Over half (52.2%) can walk outdoors without crutches, and 57.8% can climb more than 20 stairs daily.
• Individuals who are more mobile (walking without crutches, cycling, driving) are younger on average, but approximately one-third of those amputated young experience later mobility limitations.

Conclusions:

• Successful prosthetic fitting and consistent use significantly enhance independent walking and daily mobility for individuals with lower limb amputations.
• The degree of functional independence achieved is influenced by the time span since the amputation.
• Long-term mobility requires ongoing assessment, especially for younger individuals who may face challenges later in life.