Prevalence and patterns of back pain and residual limb pain in lower limb amputees at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence and impact of back pain (BP) and residual limb pain (RLP) in ambulatory lower limb amputees (LLAs).


METHODS
Patients completed questionnaires regarding demographics, their amputation, occurrence of BP and RLP. Visual analogue scales assessed pain severity and effect on activities of daily living (ADLs), recreational, family and social life (RFS), and ability to work. Descriptive statistics were compiled and relationships between pain and details of amputation were examined.


RESULTS
A total of 107 patients (88 males, 19 females) participated; mean age 51.1 years. Fifty-one patients (47.7%) suffered BP, mean intensity 5.3, mean interference with ADLs, RFS, ability to work 3.5, 3.8, 3.4, respectively. Sixty (56.1%) suffer from RLP, mean intensity 5.7; mean interference with ADLs, RFS, ability to work 2.9, 2.8, 3.9, respectively. BP intensity increased with age; RLP intensity was greatest among vasculopaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Irish LLAs maintain functional capacity despite suffering moderate intensity BP and RLP.
Smith
E
E
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dún Loaghaire, Co, Dublin, Ireland. eimear.smith@rnoh.nhs.uk.
Comiskey
C
C
Ryall
N
N
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D000674:Amputees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom