THE EFFECT OF PROSTHETIC REHABILITATION IN LOWER-LIMB AMPUTEES

The objectives of this project were to ascertain whether, to date, the views concerning the determination of prosthetic candidacy have been optimal and whether the training methods applied have been effective a nd have resulted in constant use of the prosthesis after conclusion of the training programme. Secondly it was intended to set up guidelines for future budgeting as well as providing a reference framework for t he process of rehabilitation. An inquiry based on questionnaires was t he first phase in a quality assurance project carried out among 29 amp utees trained in 1990 and 1991. The result of the inquiry was that reh abilitation using PTB prostheses for 19 trans-tibial amputations in 18 cases (one patient was a bilateral trans-tibial amputee) led to const ant use of the prosthesis and that advanced age was no hindrance to co nstant use in this group. For 10-trans-femoral amputees the inquiry re vealed that advanced age combined with problems of donning the prosthe sis was a hindrance to constant use in two cases. It is concluded that there is a need for testing/developing new types of femoral prosthese s. The patients' evaluation of the rehabilitation process and their pr ostheses stresses the need for communication between the team of profe ssionals and the patients in the decision process concerning the provi sion of a prosthesis as well as the provision of complete information on the patients' future functional possibilities. Qualitative measurem ents must include the kind and number of medical complications and the social conditions of the amputee as well as tests of physical and men tal resources.