Bilateral lower limb amputee rehabilitation. A retrospective review

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed 61 cases of bilateral lower limb amputations in patients admitted to a regional amputee rehabilitation program. Of the 61 cases, 41 were analyzed as to functional outcome on discharge, at 1 month, and at 3 months; 20 were not included owing to transfers to acute care or loss to follow-up. There were 41 men and 20 women, the average age was 61.5 years, and 47 patients (77%) were discharged to home. There were 25 bilateral below-knee, 14 above-knee and below-knee, 12 bilateral above-knee, 5 below-knee and partial-foot, 3 above-knee and partial-foot, and 2 bilateral partial-foot amputations. The average length of stay for all levels was 24.2 days. Most of the patients at the time of discharge achieved a level of limited household walking with the exception of those with bilateral above-knee amputations. A significant improvement in function was noted for all patients at 3-month follow-up, with most patients achieving household ambulation level, but 10 remained independent at wheelchair level for mobility.