title: Ability or disability? A study of the functional outcome of 65 consecutive lower limb amputees treated at the Royal South Sydney Hospital in 1988-1989.
abstract: A follow-up study by personal interview (45) or written response (4) or next-of-kin (3) interview using a questionnaire, has been made at least 1 year from discharge of the 52 survivors (82%) of 65 lower limb amputees treated at the Royal South Sydney Hospital in the years 1988-1989. At follow-up prostheses were used by 94% of the people, 72% of the group using their prostheses all day. Independence in self-care was found to be more important to final discharge home than walking skills. The 93% return home rate was considered to be in part due to funding for home modifications provided by government sources. Car driving was a mobility aid for 25% of patients whereas public transport was used by only 9% of subjects. Some patients mentioned that the loss of pain and a feeling of well-being was a positive gain from their amputation surgery.
authors.affiliation: Royal South Sydney Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schuld
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001334:Automobile Driving; D002648:Child; D004651:Employment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome