Non-traumatic lower limb older amputees: A database survey from a geriatric centre

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation 2001-01, Vol.23 (2), p.80-84
• Main Authors: Adunsky, Abraham, Wershavski, Michael, Arad, Marina, Heruti, Raphael J, Siev-Ner, Itzhak, Heim, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amputation; Amputation - rehabilitation; Amputation - statistics & numerical data; Analysis of Variance; Chi-Square Distribution; Data Collection; Female; Geriatrics - statistics & numerical data; Hospital Units; Humans; Israel - epidemiology; Leg; Male; Middle Aged; Probability; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sex Distribution; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0963-8288; 1464-5165
• DOI: 10.1080/096382801750058161

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to examine the characteristic of a geriatric population admitted for amputation of a lower limb and to explore some of the factors that may affect the course of their hospital stay. Method: The study took place in the geriatric division of a tertiary general hospital and included a close geriatric-orthopaedic liaison. Two-hundred and forty-one patients were included in the final analysis. Results: Many above knee amputations were performed, which correlated with advanced age. Rates of in hospital mortality and systemic complications were 16% and 19%, respectively. Thirty-three percent of the patients were discharged back home, and only 6% were supplied with an artificial limb. The general condition of most patients remained poor. Conclusion: We conclude that despite a team approach to the care of the geriatric amputee a poor functional result was obtained. By encouraging earlier referrals from the community it is postulated that a reduction in the costly provision of antibiotics would be beneficial and that perhaps lower levels of amputation could be performed thereby enhancing the possibilities for ambulation.