Review article

Rehabilitation of lower limb amputees

IDA KOVAČ ; Clinic for Rehabilitation and Orthopeadic apparatus, Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, HR-10000 Zagreb
NEVEN KAUZLARIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
OGNJEN ŽIVKOVIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
VEDRANA MUŽIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
ZORAN VULETIĆ
TAMARA VUKIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
NEVEN IŠTVANOVIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
BRANKO LIVAKOVIĆ ; Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Devices, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Medical School University of Zagreb, N. Božidarevića 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Rehabilitation of amputees represents a complex process during the course of which an amputee receives professional aid and support, so as to adapt to the use of prosthesis, i.e. an artificial supplement for the lost body part. The process aims at achieving an independent performance of the amputee in all areas of everyday life and as high quality of life as possible. The rehabilitation encompasses not only the pre-amputation, postoperative, pre-prosthetic and prosthetic stage, within which an amputee is provided with a prosthetic
aiding device, but also the subsequent long-term monitoring and follow-up. The implementation of the rehabilitation process runs in line with the biopsychosocial model and requires a multidisciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach, so as to achieve a successful reintegration of an amputee and allow for a lifestyle resembling the pre-amputation one as much as possible.

The article brings the causes and types of amputation, the principles
underpinning contemporary amputation surgery, prosthetics and rehabilitation during preoperative, postoperative, pre-prosthetic and prosthetic stages, as well as the stage goals and MOs of their attainment. Principles of evaluation of prosthetic rehabilitation outcomes in limb amputees, which make use of appraisal questionnaires, have been discussed as well.

Keywords

lower limb amputation; prosthetic rehabilitation

Hrčak ID:

139534

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/139534

Publication date:

31.3.2015.

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