Problems in the rehabilitation of the physically disabled in rural areas of India.

Some 550 disabled patients were examined by a rehabilitation team by organizing a rural camp at Meerut. This rehabilitation team consisted of orthopaedic surgeons, doctors, a prosthetist, an orthotist, a medical social worker and other skilled workers. Out of the 550 disabled patients, 271 were amputees, and 184 cases had poliomyelitis. Males predominated by 4:1. Disability was most common up to the age of 30 years. Of the 271 amputees, 146 were of upper limb while 125 were of lower limb. Only 86 lower limb amputees were suitable for fitting a prosthesis, while 39 others needed surgery of physiotherapy. Only 87 of the 184 polio cases were found suitable for appliances, the remainder needing surgery or physiotherapy. Ways of reducing the numbers of disabled were examined and improved rehabilitation procedures suggested.