FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AND COMORBIDITY INDEXES IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE TRAUMATIC VERSUS THE VASCULAR UNILATERAL LOWER-LIMB AMPUTEE

This study compared the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores o f traumatic (n = 12) and vascular (n = 12) unilateral lower limb amput ees at admission and discharge from a rehabilitation facility. FIM sco res that were measured were amputation FIM subscores and total FIM sco res. Comorbidity indexes were developed to weight the stump condition and comorbidities seen in both groups. The vascular group was signific antly (P < 0.01) older and had significantly (P < 0.01) greater stump comorbidity, but there was no significant difference with respect to l ength of stay, medical comorbidity score, and amputation and total FIM scores both at admission and discharge between the two groups. Medica l comorbidity was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with amputation and total FIM scores at discharge for traumatic amputees with r = -0.6 4 and r -0.66, respectively. Stump comorbidity was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with total FIM at discharge with r -0.64 for vascular amputees. Medical comorbidity was a good predictor of discharge FIM s cores for traumatic amputees, whereas stump comorbidity predicted disc harge FIM scores for vascular amputees, although not as well. In concl usion, inpatient traumatic amputees may be younger than vascular amput ees, but traumatic amputees may not necessarily be healthier or do bet ter functionally at discharge than vascular amputees.