Introduction. Research into patients with lower limb amputation (LLA) puts strong emphasis on quality of life (QoL) and importance of the research in that regard as a measure for the rehabilitation outcomes. The aim of this study was to show which aspects of QoL are related to the duration of wearing a prosthesis in patients with transtibial amputation (TTA). 

Methods. The study sample comprised 40 patients who used prosthesis for 1 - 3 years (group A), 4 - 7 years (group B) and > 8 years (group C). All patients completed Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale-Revised (TAPES-R).

Results. Prosthesis wearing history was significantly different between the groups: group A (2.2 ± 0.7 years), group B (5.5 ± 1.3 years) and group C (22.9 ± 13.6 years), p<0.001. Patients in group B were significantly (p < 0.05) older compared to patients in group C, displayed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower rate of employment and significantly (p < 0.05) longer duration of diabetes mellitus. Patients in group C displayed a significantly (p = 0.005) lower rate of diabetes mellitus. TAPES-R showed that social adjustment was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients in group C compared to patients in group A (3.14 ± 0.46 vs. 3.55 ± 0.41).

Conclusion. Although patients with TTA showed good QoL, the group with a long history of wearing a prosthesis differed significantly in social adjustment compared to patients with a short period of wearing a prosthesis. The age and etiology of amputation differed significantly between the groups.

 

 

 

Corresponding author:

Vesna Bokan

e-mail: vesnabokanmir@gmail.me