Back pain as a secondary disability in persons with lower limb amputations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency, duration, intensity, and interference of back pain in a sample of persons with lower limb amputations.


METHODS
Retrospective, cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Community-based survey from clinical databases.


METHODS
Participants who were 6 or more months post lower limb amputation (n = 255).


METHODS
An amputation pain survey that included several standardized pain measures.


METHODS
Frequency, duration, intensity, and interference of back pain.


RESULTS
Of the participants who completed the survey (return rate, 56%), 52% reported experiencing persistent, bothersome back pain. Of these, 43% reported average back pain intensity in the mild range (1-4 on 0-10 rating scale) and 25% reported pain of moderate intensity (5-6 on 0-10 scale). Most respondents with back pain rated the interference of their pain on function as none to minimal. However, nearly 25% of those with back pain described it as frequent, of severe intensity (>or=7 on 0-10 scale), and as severely interfering with daily activities including social, recreational, family, and work activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Back pain may be surprisingly common in persons with lower limb amputations, and, for some who experience it, may greatly interfere with function.
Ehde
D M
DM
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104-2499, USA. ehde@u.washington.edu
Smith
D G
DG
Czerniecki
J M
JM
Campbell
K M
KM
Malchow
D M
DM
Robinson
L R
LR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology