Assessment of body damage in subjects with lower-limb amputation: sensitivity test, posture, joint overload and quality of life

Objective: To evaluate comprehensively subjects with lower-limb amputation, assessing their body damage, and draw up objective, conclusive reports on the tests. Material and method: Twenty-eight adult male and female amputees, with amputation at any site and aetiology, with stable stump and use of prosthesis with independent walking, were evaluated. The sensitivity of the stump, temperature, gait, postural defects and quality of life of these subjects were studied. Sensitivity of the stump and lower limb were assessed through Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The posture of the subjects was evaluated with the SAPO software. Quality of life was assessed through the WHOQUOL breef questionnaire and temperature was obtained by thermography using an infrared chamber. Results: We obtained a low physical and psychological quality of life, postural disorders in the lower limbs, impairment or loss of sensitivity and high temperatures in the edge of the amputation stump, with overload on walking. Conclusion: The subject with amputated lower limb has a low physical and psychological quality of life, postural disorders in the lower limbs, impairment or loss of sensitivity and high temperatures in the edge of the amputation stump, with overload on walking.