Delayed referral of lower limb amputees for rehabilitation; an audit study

ABSTRACT

To determine the causes of delayed referral of lower limb amputees for rehabilitation. Study Design: Descriptive study. Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi, from April 2012 to July 2012. Thirty two patient cases of lower limb amputation were included. They were referred cases to AFIRM from operational areas and CMHs all over Pakistan for provision of prosthesis and rehabilitation. A total of 32 lower limb amputees7 male patients with mean age 29 years were included in the study. Transtibial level was the most common amputation 19[57.6%]. Improvised Explosive Device [IED] was the most common mode of injury 19[57.6%]. 34.37% patients were delayed due to leave granted to them at local set ups before referral to AFIRM for rehabilitation. Delayed referral for rehabiltation has poor impact on rehabilitation of an amputee