Major lower limb amputation for vascular disease in the Grampian area: the outcome of rehabilitation.
The outcome of lower limb amputation in the Grampian Region has been studied. In the years 1990-1991, 93 patients had 104 amputations for vascular disease. Rehabilitation was supervised by a multidisciplinary team. The amputation level was: unilateral and below-knee (BKA), 55 patients; unilateral and above-knee (AKA), 27 patients; and bilateral (BA) in 11 patients. At a median follow-up of 27 months, survivors who had had a limb fitted were sent a questionnaire to assess their physical mobility. The response rate was 95%. There were 33 (60%) survivors in the BKA group. Fourteen patients (25%) indicated good mobility and seven (13%) indicated fair mobility. There were five (19%) survivors in the AKA group, only one of whom described fair mobility with a prosthetic limb. There were 5 (46%) survivors of BA. Two described good and one fair mobility. Although vascular amputees have a high mortality rate, physical mobility tends to be good in those fitted with a prosthesis after BKA.
Kanellopoulos
G
G
Department of Vascular Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Woolmanhill.
Sabharwal
A
A
MacGregor
C
C
Cooper
G G
GG
Engeset
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012606:Scotland; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*