[Lower limb amputations and rehabilitation].

BACKGROUND We wished to study the therapy for lower limb amputees at Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand after restructuring of activities in 2004.MATERIAL AND METHOD All lower limb amputees hospitalised in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation between March 2012 and July 2015 were followed up prospectively.RESULTS A total of 50 patients with 54 amputations were followed up for at least three months. Altogether 31 transtibial amputations, 22 transfemoral amputations and one knee disarticulation were performed. The median age of the patients was 66 years, 36 of whom were men, median Charlson comorbidity index was 1.5, 14 smoked, 8 were substance abusers, 9 were able to walk at least 2 km preoperatively, 44 of the amputations were performed with myodesis, and 41 patients were transferred directly to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. At the three-month check-up, 48 patients used their custom-made prostheses, average walk-test time was 21 seconds, and 45 lived in their own home. At the one-year check-up, 32 of 35 patients who attended used prostheses, and average walk-test time was 18 seconds. Use of painkillers declined during the period. Advanced age, transfemoral amputation and substance abuse were associated with longer walk-test time at the three-month check-up.INTERPRETATION Most patients achieved a good level of function, and the therapy appears to be functioning satisfactorily.