The Effectiveness of Inpatient Rehabilitation in the Acute Postoperative Phase of Care After Transtibial or Transfemoral Amputation: Study of an Integrated Health Care Delivery System

Stineman MG, Kwong PL, Kurichi JE, Prvu-Bettger JA, Vogel WB, Maislin G, Bates BE, Reker DM. The effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation in the acute postoperative phase of care after transtibial or transfemoral amputation: study of an integrated health care delivery system. Objective To compare outcomes between lower-extremity amputees who receive and do not receive acute postoperative inpatient rehabilitation within a large integrated health care delivery system. Design An observational study using multivariable propensity score risk adjustment to reduce treatment selection bias. Setting Data compiled from 9 administrative databases from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Participants A national cohort of veterans (N=2673) who underwent transtibial or transfemoral amputation between October 1, 2002, and September 30, 2004. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures One-year cumulative survival, home discharge from the hospital, and prosthetic limb procurement within the first postoperative year. Results After reducing selection bias, patients who received acute postoperative inpatient rehabilitation compared to those with no evidence of inpatient rehabilitation had an increased likelihood of 1-year survival (odds ratio [OR]=1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.80) and home discharge (OR=2.58; 95% CI, 2.17–3.06). Prosthetic limb procurement did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions The receipt of rehabilitation in the acute postoperative inpatient period was associated with a greater likelihood of 1-year survival and home discharge from the hospital. Results support early postoperative inpatient rehabilitation following amputation.