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The effect of body weight and age on frequency of repairs in lower-limb prostheses.

Authors :
Haboubi NHJ
Heelis M
Woodruff R
Al-Khawaja I
Source :
Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development. Jul/Aug2001, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p375-377. 3p.
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Overweight patients sometimes present a practical problem for provision of lower-limb prostheses. Most information about the effect of body weight on the endurance of prostheses is based on laboratory tests. This is a retrospective study based on an audit to study the effect of body weight and age on the frequency of repairs. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixteen patients were involved (98 male), age 16-96 years, mean=58.7 years; weight 47-140 kg, mean=88 kg; 68 were transtibial amputees and 48 were transfemoral amputees. Causes of amputation were trauma (49), peripheral vascular disease (29), and others (38). Amputation was done 1-66 years prior to assessment, mean=13.66 years. Period of use of current prostheses was 0.5-28 years, mean=3.5 years. RESULTS: One hundred and one repairs were done in a period of 6 months. The number of repairs was found to correlate significantly with weight (P value<0.001) and inversely with age (P value=0.003). No significant correlation was found between repairs and gender, cause of amputation, or level of amputation. CONCLUSION: Body weight and age of amputee are determining factors in the frequency of repairs of lower-limb prostheses. However, a larger study for a longer period will be needed to confirm our finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
07487711
Volume :
38
Issue :
4
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
106947479