Patterns of recovery for lower limb amputation

Abstract

Following the identification of functional activities to record the recovery patterns of the amputee, a preliminary survey was carried out over a 12-month period, to monitor these patterns following lower limb amputation. Four hundred and fifty-nine returns were received and the profile of the sample was found to be in line with the UK amputee data.

The results show that basic bed activities that is, moving about the bed, moving from the lying to sitting position and being able to sit up unaided, were the easiest activities for the sample to achieve independently and took between one to two weeks. Transferring the upper body and dressing the upper body independently were more difficult and took between three to four weeks to achieve and dressing the lower body took, on average, three to five weeks to master following the amputation.

A number of the patients were either transferred or discharged from the site of the operation from the second week postoperatively and were not followed up by the physiotherapists at the acute site. This resulted in the data on the later milestones of recovery, either using an early walking aid or a prosthesis, being less accurate. A further study that takes these facts into account is recommended to conclusively establish the milestones of recovery for this group of disabled patients.