A study in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery investigated the functional and mental health outcomes of orthopedic trauma patients who underwent either lower-limb amputation or lower-limb salvage.
The researchers identified 100 patients in a military complex trauma rehabilitation center, including 36 unilateral amputations, 43 bilateral amputations and 21 single-limb salvages. Some of these procedures were done immediately after trauma, while others were delayed.
Here's what you need to know:
1. When considering walking function, the unilateral amputation group walked significantly farther in six minutes than the limb-salvage or the bilateral amputation group.
2. The delayed below-the-knee amputation group also walked significantly farther than the below-the-knee limb salvage group.
3. There was no significant difference in walking function between the delayed below-the-knee amputation group and the immediate below-the-knee amputation group.
4. When considering running function, the amputee groups were more capable than the limb-salvage group.
5. When considering mental health, there were no significant differences between the groups.
6. The majority of patients, 97 percent, were able to control their pain at discharge.
The researchers concluded, "The unilateral amputation group demonstrated a significant functional advantage over the limb-salvage and bilateral amputation groups."