Claimed walking distance of lower limb amputees.
OBJECTIVE
Walking ability in general and specifically for lower limb amputees is of major importance for social mobility and ADL independence. Walking determines prosthesis prescription. The aim of this study was to mathematically analyse factors influencing claimed walking distance of lower limb amputees of 500 m or more.


METHODS
A total of 437 patients returned two questionnaires: the Groningen Questionnaire Problems after Leg Amputation, in which walking distance was assessed, and the RAND 36.


RESULTS
The chance of walking 500 m or more reduced when a transfemoral amputation was performed. The chance reduced even more when phantom pain or stump pains were present. If the amputation was performed because of vascular disease or because of vascular problems because of diabetes the chance reduced again. Independently of these factors, age reduced the chance of walking 500 m or more.


CONCLUSIONS
The chance of walking 500 m or more reduces with increase in age and a more proximal amputation. The chance reduces even further when the amputation is performed because of diabetes or vascular disease and also if phantom pain and or stump pain is present.
Geertzen
Jan H B
JH
Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. j.h.geertzen@rev.azg.nl
Bosmans
Joline C
JC
van der Schans
Cees P
CP
Dijkstra
Pieter U
PU
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*