Specificities of prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation in amputees with head injury

Abstract

Background/Aim. The prosthetic-orthotic rehabilitation (POR) of amputees with head injury within the polytrauma presents a specific entity. The number of traumas caused by the traffic and the low-intensity war conflicts, increases constantly. The aim of our study was to examine the influence of complications on the POR duration and outcome in polytrauma amputees with head injury (PTAHI) recording complications at the beginning and during the POR. Methods. The study was carried out on the patients divided into two groups of 35 polytrauma male patients each of corresponding age with unilateral transfemoral amputation caused by the war injury. The experimental group consisted of the amputees with head injury. Standard clinical techniques and procedures, as well as special functional evaluation techniques were used. Results. The PATHI started POR with a greater number of complications (average rate 7.29 vs 5.11 per patient; W = 928.000: Z = 3.730: p = 0.000). There was a highly significant positive correlation between this number and the Barthel Score value change (Fx, H, p < 0.01), and negative significant correlation considering prosthetic use and functional capacity test values (Fx, H p < 0.05). On admision, the amount of complications defined for the value 4 of POR outcome was significantly higher than values 2 and 3, respectively (H = 8.948; df = 2; p = 0.011). The PTAHI developed significantly more frequently complications during rehabilitation (X2 = 1.061; df = 1; p < 0.01). The proportion of the examinees with the value 4 who developed complications during rehabilitations was significantly higher than those with value 2 (Fp = 3.406; df1 = 2; df2 = 67; p = 0.038). The rehabilitation of the PTAHI lasted significantly longer (average 259.09 vs 183.63 days; W = 923.500; Z = -3.748; p = 0.000). Conclusion. The PTAHI including head injuries started prostheticorthotic rehabilitation with more prosthetic complications and their psychological status was worse, resulting in the longer duration of rehabilitation whereas the outcome itself was poor. The value 4 of the prosthetic-orthotic rehabilitation outcome can be expected more often in patients developing complications during rehabilitation.