Abstract
Objectives: To identify the common issues
related to prosthetic components among
amputees of law enforcement agencies reporting
for follow-up in Armed Forces Institute of
Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM), Rawalpindi and
calculate the life for the frequently changed
components.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional descriptive
study carried out in AFIRM Rawalpindi from
October 2013 to December 2014. Through nonprobability consecutive sampling, we included
individuals with amputations of any etiology.
Information was recorded about the type, side,
and etiology of amputation, place of injury, time
passed in months since previous consultation, the
reasons for follow-up (damaged prosthetic foot,
damaged liner, socket problems, accessories
problems, and problems with cosmetic gloves and
sleeves), and the average life of the frequently
changed components.
Results: Of 98 individuals (mean age 27±6 years,
range: 18-43 years), majority suffered from IED
blast injury (n=44, 44.9%) in Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region (n=58,
59.2%). Transtibial amputation (n=78, 79.6%) was
the most common level of amputation, with equal
percentage for the side of body involved (46 each).
The average follow-up time from the last
consultation was 17±15 months (range 2-32
months). The primary prosthetic concerns for the
follow-up were regarding prosthetic foot and liner
(34 each). The average times after which
prosthetic foot and liner were replaced since initial
provision were 22±10 months (range12-32
months) and 5±3 months (range 2-8 months),
respectively
Conclusion: Maximum patients reported with
issues related to prosthetic foot and liner. The
average life reported for these components was
shorter than previous studies. (Rawal Med J
202;45:656-660).
