OBJECTIVE To investigate factors that predict walking with a prosthesis after lower limb amputation. DESIGN Systematic literature review. METHODS A computer-aided literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify studies published up to August 2007 that investigated factors that predicted walking ability after lower limb amputation. RESULTS A ...

AMPUTATION of a limb is a serious and irrevocable step, to be undertaken only when no other course of action is possible. Despite recent advances in arterial surgery, amputations will continue to be necessary and although there has been recent interest in the Stokes Gritti (Martin and Wickham, 1962) and Through Knee techniques (Gillis, 1961), many surgeons continue to remove the leg at the stan...

The Mangled Extremity Severity Score was applied to 152 patients with severely injured lower limbs. All cases with a score of seven or more required amputation; some with scores of less than seven eventually came to amputation. These observations are discussed.

The Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) may be used to decide whether to perform amputation in patients with injuries involving a limb. A score of 7 points or higher indicates the need for amputation. We have treated three patients with a MESS of 7 points or higher, in two of which the injured limb was salvaged. This scoring system was originally devised to assess injuries to the lower limb...

Objectives: This study was performed to elucidate the characteristics of amputees in our hospital. We also evaluated whether the causes and characteristics of the amputations influenced the patients' prosthetic walking ability. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined 47 amputees in our hospital from December 1996 to April 2016 with respect to the causes and levels of amputation. Of 2...

The loss of both lower extremities through amputation represents one of the severest physical handicaps, particularly as it occurs most commonly in the older age group. During the last six and one-half years, from May, 1950, through December, 1956, over 500 persons with amputation of a lower extremity were admitted to the Bay State Medical Rehabilitation Clinic. Of these, 10% had bilateral ampu...

To assess the current epidemiological situation concerning lower limb amputations in southern Finland the data on all amputations made in the catchment area of the Helsinki University Central Hospital were analysed for the period 1984-85. During the two-year period, 880 amputations of lower limbs were performed on 705 patients. The amputation rate was 32.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1984 and 28...

Proximal lower limb amputations (trans-femoral) usually leave amputees with significant functional disturbances. This article contains information regarding three pilots with trans-femoral amputations that returned swiftly to continue their aeronautical careers despite their disabilities. Adaptations are needed in the limb prostheses to enable the amputees to access the minimally spaced cockpit.