Utility of Prosthetic Extremities among Lower Limb-Post Amputation Patients and its Effect on Quality of Life, Jeddah, KSA
Author(s): Bayan Foaud Mogharbe* and Areej Taher Bensadek
Abstract
Background: A lower limb amputation is a surgical invasive procedure in which the patient's legs are severed, either one or both. Trauma, infection, diabetic foot, and occlusive disorders of the arteries are among the reasons. The amputation has a huge impact on the patients' lives, resulting in a severe reduction of their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Prosthetics have been shown to increase patient function and independence in most aspects of everyday life. Exploring the patients' beliefs, challenges, barriers, and enablers is critical. Objective: To investigate the social and psychological aspects of post-amputation among afflicted patients in Jeddah, KSA. Methods: Quality of life and prosthesis utility assessment were performed among amputee patients with prosthesis and without in this descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study. The study assessed quality of life and prosthesis utility at single point of time which makes the cross-sectional design suitable. Data was collected using The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale - Revised (TAPES-R). The research is open to all participants who have had a lower limb amputation and can communicate in Arabic. Those who use prosthetics will also be included. Results: The study included 40 participants divided into two groups; 20 participants who had lower limb amputation and are using prosthesis and 20 participants who had an amputation only. Among participants who used prosthesis, the mean duration for prosthesis use was 5.1 ± 2.04 years and the mean duration of use for the current prosthesis was 3.57 ± 1.67, which indicates that these participants changed their prosthesis after two years from the first use. Prosthesis type varied among participants who used it as demonstrated in figure 1. Below knee prosthesis was used among 13 participants while above knee prosthesis was used among 7 participants. The mean score of satisfaction among participants was 5.28 ± 1.552 out of 10. Participants who use prosthesis reported a mean duration of wearing the prosthesis for 12.42 ± 3.80 hours per day. Conclusion: Physical capacity is poorer in amputee patients than in prosthesis amputee patients; contentment with prosthesis and body image are unrelated to amputation level; and life quality and satisfaction with prostheses rise in tandem with prostheses use. Clinical significance although there are disparities between the groups in terms of quality of life and functioning, patients with appropriate rehabilitation and a proper prosthesis can achieve an acceptable living standard.