A study on quality of life among lower limb amputees at a tertiary prosthetic rehabilitation center.

BACKGROUND

Limb loss is one of the most physically and psychologically devastating events causing major disfigurement, rendering people less mobile, and at risk for loss of independence. This research aims to study the quality of life (QoL) among lower limb amputees (LLAs) at a tertiary prosthetic rehabilitation center.

METHODS

The present study is based on the self-perceived QoL of new LLAs reporting to a tertiary prosthetic rehabilitation center for prosthesis using World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale.

RESULTS

35% of this study population were currently serving personnel of Indian Armed Forces, while 17.3% were dependents. 17.3% of the study participants were retired Indian Armed Forces personnel. 51.5% of study participants had undergone a lower limb amputation following trauma; 22.7% of the traumatic amputations had resulted from road traffic accidents, 16.7% from trauma sustained following railway accidents, and combat-related injuries accounted for 11.4% of traumatic lower limb amputations. Diabetic foot/gangrene was responsible for 32% of lower limb amputations in the current study. Overall QoL score of 78.76 (standard deviation [SD] = 15.03) was seen revealing highest mean score in environmental domain 26.59 (SD = 5.38), followed by physical domain, psychological domain, and lowest score being in social domain.

CONCLUSION

When judging the success or failure of lower limb amputation, the assessment of QoL outcome is paramount. A number of factors need to be taken into consideration to ensure holistic reintegration of the amputees back into the society.