Assessing pre-prosthetic rehabilitation outcome of amputees with major limb amputation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano

Abstract

Background: Major limb amputation is the removal of part or a whole of a limb proximal to the wrist or the ankle. It is the last, albeit  valuable option when limb salvage is impossible. It impacts negatively on patients’ participation in valued activities, body image  perception and quality of life, hence multi-disciplinary approach is rewarding.
Methods: A hospital based prospective study carried out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano between August 2014 and July 2015. A proforma was filled which included demographics, clinical history, diagnosis, type of surgery done and clinical outcome. Rehabilitation was assessed using functional independent measure. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 for windows.
Results: Fifty four participants completed the study. Patients' age ranged from 18-82 years. Mean age for females was 33 years±16.51 and males 28.36 years±16.62. Thirty (55.6%) were between the ages of 18-30years. Majority(94.4%) were of the working age group (18-60years). Amputations due to trauma (n=46) had higher Functional Independent Measure (FIM) mean score of 117.50±3.582 with a p-value of 0.00 (not significant).  Upper limb amputations (n- 15) had better FIM score of 118.67±0.62 with a p-value of 0.00. Patients 60 years  and below (n=51) recorded FIM scores of 118.29±1.171 with a P-value of 0.00.(better than the elderly). Females (n=12) had better FIM mean score of 117.67±2.84 with a P-value of 0.00.
Conclusion: Pre-prosthetic rehabilitation is better in amputations due to trauma, in females, younger age group and in upper limbs.