REHABILITATION AFTER AMPUTATION FOLLOWING LOWER-LIMB FRACTURE

Twenty-two patients were interviewed after lower limb amputation above the ankle joint following fractures. Their median age at the time of the injury was 44 years (range, 14-77 years), and median amputation delay was 2 months (range, 0-213 months). Of the 15 patients who were working before the injury, ten returned to gainful employment after amputation. Amputation delay did not affect the ability to return to work. Twenty patients could walk outdoors; two patients aged 69 and 71 years could not, but regularly went outdoors using a wheelchair or a three-wheeled moped. Eleven patients were more or less dependent on help from others. The study indicates that most patients have an acceptable functional result, but with increasing age the chance of a return to employment decreases, and the need for help with everyday demands increases.