Rehabilitation of below-knee amputees: factors influencing outcome and costs in three programmes.

The components of three different rehabilitation programmes were analysed to determine the factors that influence functional outcomes and prosthetic costs. Age and additional health problems showed little relationship to inpatient activity level while the physical health status score had a significant relationship. The level of expectation in the rehabilitation programmes for walking independently with canes or without aids at discharge was shown to have a strong influence on the activity level attained and the length of rehabilitation stay. The style of socket did not appear to affect fitting success but had some effect on the efficiency of the prosthetic fitting process and the length of stay.