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Rehabilitation of the older vascular amputee: A review of the literature
Author(s) -
Fleury Aisling M,
Salih Salih A,
Peel Nancye M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.12016
Subject(s) - medicine , amputation , rehabilitation , cinahl , contraindication , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , retraining , medline , gait , medical prescription , surgery , nursing , psychological intervention , alternative medicine , pathology , international trade , political science , law , business
The aim was to review the literature on factors affecting prosthetic rehabilitation of older vascular lower extremity amputees. A search of the literature was carried out using the MEDLINE , EMBASE and CINAHL databases up to S eptember 2010. Only original E nglish language articles were accepted. Relevant studies were reviewed and selected based on prespecified inclusion criteria namely: age more than 65 years; vascular cause for the amputation; amputation level of below knee, through‐the‐knee or above knee; and discussed factors affecting rehabilitation. Age alone is not an absolute contraindication to prosthetic limb prescription; however, it does influence the potential success of gait retraining. Other factors influencing prosthetic fitting and use include comorbidities, premorbid function, level of amputation, status of the remaining limb and patient motivation. Prosthetic gait retraining is not possible in every older dysvascular amputee; however, almost all amputees will benefit from a rehabilitation program to increase independence in transfers and learn wheelchair skills. The MESH key words were: “aged” “diabetes complications” “peripheral vascular diseases” “amputees” “amputation” “rehabilitation” and “artificial limbs”. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 264–273.