LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION FOR CHRONIC PAIN AND/OR FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a lower limb amputation for chronic pain and/or functional impairment on pain and participation in daily living activities and to assess the use of prostheses. To improve decision-making for this controversial treatment. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: Patients who had an amputation of a lower limb for chronic pain and/or functional impairment. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of the patients were satisfied with the amputation and would decide to undergo an amputation again under the same conditions. Sixty-nine percent of the patients reported an improvement in pain, 69% an improvement in mobility, 75% in daily living activities, and 56% an improvement in sleep. Seventy-five percent of the patients used their prosthesis on a daily basis. CONCLUSION: Most patients who underwent an amputation in our hospitals for chronic pain and/or functional impairment of a lower limb were satisfied and reported an improvement in function and pain.

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