Published Paper Details:

Introduction Road Traffic Injuries stands as an important cause for amputation in Trauma. Pedestrians, motorized two wheeled vehicle users, cyclist are most vulnerable. Studies show that 93.4% of all lower extremity amputations are due to vascular injury with incidence increasing 27% from 1988 to 1996. Trauma, responsible for only 5.8% of lower limb amputations is the most common cause in the second and third decade of life. Objective of the study To document and examine the use, satisfaction and problems with prosthetic devices among persons who suffered trauma related amputation. Design Retrospective cohort design Medical records and follow up interview data were collected from persons with extremity amputation who received their acute care at Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi between 2016-2017. Patients with neurological (head injuries, spinal injuries) issues were excluded from the study. Results 197 patients were identified. Out of this total 21 have died (20 during in hospital stay and 1 after prosthetic fitting). 75 Patients (38%) were given phone call of which 29 (39%) were having prosthesis and only 21 patients (72%) were using prosthesis. Satisfaction level was excellent (highly satisfied) in 57.1% of patients. 10% of patients reported average satisfaction and 33% patients were not satisfied due to reasons as heavy weight (19.0%) heavy weight with same side fracture 15 days back (4.8%), patient expired (4.8%), above elbow prosthesis pending (4.8%), stump not healed completely because of infection (9.6%). Conclusion Although the number of patients who undergo trauma - related amputation is very high and the prosthetic education is started early to the patients, the number of patients who do not get prosthesis is very high due to constrains like low socio - economic status, prosthesis poor quality, unhealthy stump etc. Among the patients who use prosthesis the satisfaction level is fair. An increase awareness and dedicated clinic for such patients is the need of the hour.