ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Upper limb amputations cause severe functional disability and lower the patient's self body image, with severe psychological implications. Many parameters are involved in the successful rehabilitation of upper limb amputations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are any parameters that might predict the successful prosthetic rehabilitation of upper limb amputees. METHOD: The records of 45 patients who had undergone an upper limb amputation were traced. The patients were evaluated according to four parameters: (1) Modified upper extremities amputees' questionnaire; (2) Pain level according to Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range from 1 (lowest) up to 10 (highest); (3) Pain type - phantom or pain in the stump; (4) Functional assessment of prosthetic usage. RESULTS: Thirty (71.43%) of the patients reported difficulties with prosthesis usage. Twenty-three patients (54.76%) were satisfied with their prosthesis - 19 had cosmetic prosthesis and four had body-powered prosthesis. CONCLUSION: No significant affect of the amputation level except for trans-wrist amputation with 100% prosthesis use. No significant difference was found between prosthesis type and the correlation to stump problems. The above-elbow amputees, with dominant hand amputation, who used functional prosthesis (body-powered), achieved the best functional outcome and result.
Subject(s)
Amputees/rehabilitation , Artificial Limbs/statistics & numerical data , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Adult , Female , Humans , Israel , Male , Pain/etiology , Patient Satisfaction , Phantom Limb/etiology , Prosthesis Design , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The need for rehabilitation should not be viewed as a single event that may occur during a lifetime. This theme is explored. METHOD: A case of a man who lost the distal portions of all four limbs, is reported. RESULTS: He was rehabilitated and spent many years as an active member of the community. The physical changes, owing to advancing age, were overlooked. CONCLUSIONS: Attention is drawn to the fact that long term re-evaluation of function is periodically required.
Subject(s)
Amputees/rehabilitation , Disability Evaluation , Needs Assessment , Ethics, Medical , Humans , Long-Term Care , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Twenty four of more than 800 patients admitted to our centre presented with a severe Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The length of hospitalisation, duration of illness, treatment, and the rehabilitation course of these patients are discussed. Suggestions are made concerning the necessity to obtain maximal rehabilitation for these patients.
