Author(s): Ashwin Appasaheb Shinde

Abstract:
Background Lower leg amputation is the commonest type of amputation severely affecting the quality of life of the patients. Even though the field of medicine has made a noteworthy development with enhanced amputation techniques and prosthetics, the rehabilitation of amputees is still lagging behind; and one of the main concerns during the rehabilitation of amputees is lack of optimum functional outcome measures. Objective to assess functional outcome of below knee amputees using prosthesis for more than 5 months in terms of ICIDH based questionnaire and Houghton’s scale for the use of prosthesis, and to study relationship between potential prognostic determinants and functional outcome. Method A descriptive study was conducted with 60 below knee amputee subjects and were assessed using International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) and Houghton’s scale; and the data was statistically analyzed to find correlation between the functional outcome measures and various potential determinants. Results The potential determinants were found to have an influence on the final outcome i.e. function on ICIDH scale and prosthetic use on Houghton’s scale. Patients with diabetes, history of smoking, time lag between surgery and prosthetic supply of more than 10 weeks, less duration of use of prosthesis had a higher ICIDH score and lesser Houghton’s Score indicating poor function and lesser use of prosthesis. There was a negative correlation between ICIDH and Houghton’s scale. Conclusion The Houghton’s scale and the ICIDH-based questionnaire are both capable of predicting prosthesis usage and functional outcomes in lower limb amputees. It was also discovered that the Houghton’s score and the ICIDH score had a negative association. Age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, the time lag between surgery and prosthesis supply, and the duration of prosthetic usage are all factors that impact the functional success of lower limb amputees.

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