Functional outcome of lower limb amputees with peripheral vascular disease

Abstract

A series of 40 patients accepted for prosthetic rehabilitation after lower limb amputations for peripheral vascular disease were reviewed nine to 27 months later. Two have since died, one has not been traced, and 37 have been assessed. Fourteen were successful full-time limb users ('walkers'), 10 were partial users ('partial walkers') and 13 were wheelchair-dependent ('none walkers' or 'wheelchair users'). Of the walkers, 85% completed a 10-metre walk in under 30 seconds (mean 20s), whereas 90% of the partial walkers took over 30 seconds (mean 79s). The Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index, a measure of independence in self-care, correlated closely with outcome status and walking speed. Other items that correlated well with outcome included grip strength, assessed using a simple hand-held dynanometer, and cardiovascular fitness, the measure being time taken for the pulse to return to resting baselme after exercise. This was less than two minutes in 85% of the walkers (mean 94s) and two minutes or more in 100% of the partial walkers (mean 240s). Age did not indicate whether prosthetic training would be successful, but in those who were walking it correlated closely with speed. The partial walkers had lower kitchen and domestic activity scores, which were due to lack of environmental modification for wheelchair use, it being assessed that their walking status conferred ability to do tasks whilst standing. These patients can easily be identified by measuring their walking speed and Barthel ADL Index.