Skin problems in an amputee clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To document the type and frequency of individual residual limb skin problems among patients using a lower extremity prosthesis, including the suggested etiology and management of each type of skin problem.


METHODS
This is a 6-yr retrospective chart review of skin lesions diagnosed in patients examined in an outpatient amputee clinic at a regional, referral rehabilitation hospital in Ottawa, Canada. Skin lesions were included if they were on a lower extremity residual limb for a patient who functionally used a prosthesis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.


RESULTS
A total of 528 skin problems were documented in 337 lower extremity residual limbs. Ulcers, irritations, inclusion cysts, calluses, and verrucous hyperplasia were the five most common skin problems representing 79.5% of all documented skin disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that a wide variety of dermatologic conditions occurred frequently in the lower extremity amputee who functionally used a prosthesis. Five types of skin problems accounted for nearly 80% of the skin lesions identified. Future studies are required to evaluate prevention and management of the most frequent skin problems.
Dudek
Nancy L
NL
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Marks
Meridith B
MB
Marshall
Shawn C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002145:Callosities / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D003560:Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology