Clinical analysis and treatment of poor stumps after lower limb amputation / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the cause of poor stumps and to introduce the methods of treatment, so that the rate of poor stump would be decreased. Methods We evaluate 109 cases of lower limb amputees with a total of 110 residual limbs. Evaluation content included Skin (scars, dermatitis, folliculitis, open wounds, tactile and pain sensation); characteristics of residual limb shape (conical, bulbous, edematous cylindrical); strength of the stump; range of motion of the residual limb; muscle tone; strength of the stump and phantom pain. Results Forty-six cases out of 110 are unqualified. All poor stumps can be fit with the prosthetic through rehabilitation care. Conclusion Poor stumps are those unsuitable for fitting of the prosthetic. Special treatments are required to fit them with prosthetic. Because of the improvement of the prosthetic technology, length of the residual limb is no longer the main obstruction for fitting prosthetic. Instead the skin soft tissue condition of the stump is becoming the main reason of failure in fitting the prosthetic.