title: Rehabilitation for lower extremity amputation.
abstract: The results of rehabilitation for lower-extremity amputation were analyzed to assess the impact of a center that used a coordinated team combined with modern surgical and prosthetic techniques. Data for group 1 patients (amputated between July 1, 1975, and June 30, 1977) demonstrated a healing rate of 63%, a mean rehabilitation time of 128 days, a mean hospitalization time of 68 days, and a rehabilitation rate of 69% for those who could walk prior to amputation. Data for group 2 (amputated between July 1, 1977, and July 30, 1979) demonstrated an amputation healing rate of 97%, an average rehabilitation time of 30.8 days, a mean hospitalization time of 38 days, and a rehabilitation rate of 100% for those patients who could walk before amputation. There was no difference between groups 1 and 2 in surgical mortality; all other variables, however, showed significant improvement for group 2 patients. Comparison within the same institution of the results of rehabilitation for lower-extremity amputation before and after the initiation of a dedicated amputation center clearly demonstrated the superiority of the center concept.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014945:Wound Healing