TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1997//
TI  - Mobility of persons after traumatic lower limb amputation
JO  - Disability and rehabilitation
A1  - Burger, H.
A1  - Marincek, C.
A1  - Isakov, E.
SP  - 272
EP  - 277
VL  - 19
IS  - 7
N2  - The objective of this study was to determine the influence of time span since amputation on mobility of persons experiencing traumatic lower limb amputation. A special questionnaire was sent to such persons and responses were analysed statistically. The subjects comprised 223 persons after traumatic lower limb amputation, residents of Slovenia. We discovered that 186 (74.2%) are using their prosthesis for more than 7 hours per day, 109 (52.2%) are able to walk outdoors without crutches, and 129 (57.8%) climb more than 20 stairs per day. In addition, those who are walking without crutches, walking longer distances, still cycling and driving a care are, on average, 5-10 years younger than the others. However, around one-third of persons who were young at the time of amputation face limitations of mobility later in life. A total of 76 (35.3%) are able to walk only up to 500 m out of doors, 38 (18.2%) can walk only with a pair of crutches, 62 (29.7%) need a cane or one crutch, and 37 (16.6%) cannot climb stairs. We conclude that successful fitting and usage of a prosthesis by persons after lower limb amputation promotes independent walking and mobility in everyday life. The level of independence achieved is related to time span since amputation.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0963-8288
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -