MOBILITY OF PERSONS AFTER TRAUMATIC LOWER-LIMB AMPUTATION

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of time spa n 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 per sons 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 crutch es, and 129 (57.8 %) climb more than 20 stairs per day. La addition, t hose who are walking without crutches, walking longer distances, still cycling and driving a car are, on average, 5-10 years younger than th e others. However, around one-third of persons who were young at the t ime 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 suc cessful 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 ampu tation.