Amputee's Recognition of Rehabilitation Services for Amputation

Objective: To evaluate the actual condition of management of stump and prosthesis, difficulties with or without prosthesis in the activities of daily living and the present status of cognizance of rehabilitation services in amputees. Method: This study was designed as a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included the general demographic characteristics, causes of amputation, amputation level and time, practical status of fitting and management of prosthesis, satisfaction of prosthesis, difficulties in activities of daily living under prosthesis. The change of recognition of rehabilitation medicine and the degree of acceptance of rehabilitation services followed by duration-after amputation was also investigated. Results: The most common cause of amputation was vehicular accidents and the mean age was 35.6 years old. The results showed that the amputees had low satisfaction in the prosthesis itself and the management. The role of rehabilitation medicine in fitting and management of prosthesis was insignificant. The 69% of amputees answered that the rehabilitation services were provided after the amputation, but only 40% of amputees reported they had known the services were provided by rehabilitation medicine. This discrepancy probably implied the poor recognition of the role of rehabilitation medicine, even though the rehabilitation services provided to the amputees has been significantly increased in recent 5 years. Conclusion: There is a little progress of recognition and role of rehabilitation medicine although the acceptants of rehabilitation services were increased. Physiatrists should take an active participation to the amputee community for extension of recognition and role of rehabilitation medicine.