Reintegration of traumatic lower limb amputees into the society

Abstract

Thirty male patients with an average age of 54.9 years responded to   questionnaires, interviews and clinical examination. Variables evaluated included mobility, selfcare, work, recreation, relationship with family members, and mechanism of injury. Among  those working prior to amputation, 70% retufned to work within 12 months with 44.8% returning to their previous jobs. Seventy eight percent (78%) of respondents were completely independent at work, 92.4% felt there was no constraint to their mobility and two thirds of patients were satisfied with their adjustment. Traumatic amputees underwent successful physical rehabilitation. Vocational rehabilitation was less  successful. However, factors that were positively associated with successful vocational rehabilitation included young age, strong family and social support.