Elderly patients with lower extremity amputations: three-year study in a rehabilitation setting.

Of the 112 mostly elderly patients with lower extremity amputations who were initially evaluated for this study, 86 were discharged as independent prosthetic ambulators after completion of both phases of a two-phase prosthetic rehabilitation program with a team approach. In four years of outpatient follow-up of the 86 patients who completed phase II, 14 died and contact was lost with 6. Sixty-six remain prosthetic ambulators. Six others who had unilateral amputations underwent amputation of the other limb; the initial procedure was above knee in one and below knee in five. All of the patients included in the study were originally referred to the Helen Hayes Hospital with a multitude of problems. The majority had emotional, social and financial difficulties, as well as medical problems. Many of the patients had undergone multiple surgical procedures prior to the first amputation. Psychological problems, particularly depression, were often severe in that group of patients.