Functional capabilities of lower limb amputees

Five hundred lower limb amputees were evaluated by personal interview at the Artificial Limb Centre, Pune, India. Information thus obtained on activities of daily living and functional capabilities with their prostheses was analysed. The analysis showed that 55% of the amputees were totally independent, 40% had to use a crutch or cane and only 5% were solely dependent on a wheelchair for ambulation. Further, it was also confirmed that as age increased, functional independence decreased, and that below-knee amputees were more independent than above-knee and bilateral amputees. When compared with reports of other workers from the developed countries, the results were equally good, and in some functions, were even better.