RESUMO
This study analyses how successfully young adults rehabilitate after below-knee amputation for injury. Twenty-five patients referred to Bristol Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre and aged under 45 years at the time of amputation were investigated 2-12 years after operation by a review of their records, a questionnaire and, in a few cases, by interview. Most did extremely well. All without serious disabilities were able to work, most requiring little or no sick leave because of their amputations. Prostheses were worn by 84 per cent of patients for more than 13 h a day and only 32 per cent had left them off for more than 4 days in the previous 12 months. One mile could be walked by 72 per cent, nearly all (84 per cent) drove cars, and the majority could use public transport with relative ease. Of the patients 84 per cent regarded themselves as only slightly or not at all disabled. However, it takes about 1 year to reach this satisfactory 'present state' and 72 per cent remain troubled by phantom limb or stump pain.
Assuntos
Amputação Cirúrgica/reabilitação , Traumatismos da Perna/cirurgia , Atividades Cotidianas , Adolescente , Adulto , Amputação Cirúrgica/métodos , Membros Artificiais , Pré-Escolar , Emprego , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Joelho , Perna (Membro) , Traumatismos da Perna/reabilitação , Masculino , Dor/etiologiaRESUMO
Perthes' disease is thought to be rare in black children but no figures of incidence have previously been available. A search was therefore made for cases of the disease occurring in the Eastern Cape during the five-year period 1975 to 1979. Of 55 cases found, 38 were in white children, 11 in children of mixed ancestry ("coloured" children) and six in black children. The annual incidence in white children aged 14 years and under was 10.8 per 100 000, in coloured children 1.7 per 100 000, and in black children 0.45 per 100 000. In all races the incidence in the metropolitan area of Port Elizabeth was roughly twice that in the rural part of the region. The reason for the low incidence in coloured and black children is not known but various factors are suggested.
Assuntos
Necrose da Cabeça do Fêmur/epidemiologia , Doença de Legg-Calve-Perthes/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Grupos Raciais , População Rural , África do Sul , População UrbanaRESUMO
All orthopaedic and trauma patients admitted to Holy Cross Hospital in the Transkei during the year 1974 have been surveyed and classified by disease type. These patients formed 8% of all admissions but occupied 16% of the beds and contributed 26% of the procedures in the main operating theatre. The significance of these findings is considered briefly.
