Lower limb amputation in three Australian states.

A study has been made of lower limb amputation statistics from morbidity data from the State Health Departments in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. The incidence of lower limb amputation in these three States was 22.6 in 1981, 22.5 in 1983, and 23.6 in 1984. Incidence was lowest in New South Wales and highest in Western Australia. Below-knee amputation was more common than above-knee except in Western Australia in the years 1981 and 1983. Males had slightly more amputations than females. Incidence increased steadily with age, rising rapidly after 55 years. Vascular disease was the most common cause of major amputation. Of malignancies, skin cancers, both malignant melanoma and other forms, were causes of major and minor amputations in addition to bone malignancies. These three Australian States have a lower incidence of amputation than the United Kingdom or Finland.