scholarly journals Participation restrictions and vocational rehabilitation needs experienced by persons with a unilateral lower limb amputation in the Western Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tak Wing Yu ◽  
Liezel Ennion

Background: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) aims to rehabilitate a person with an amputation back into actively participating in society. Even though lower limb amputation (LLA) surgery is commonly performed in South Africa (SA), little research has been published on the participation restrictions experienced by and vocational needs of persons with LLA in the Western Cape (WC).Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine and explore the participation restrictions and VR needs of persons with a unilateral LLA in the WC.Method: A mixed-methods approach and a sequential exploratory design were utilised to collect data from 50 persons with an LLA. Participants were conveniently sampled within the Cape Metropole region of the WC, SA. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) tool was used to collect the quantitative data, and telephonic interviews were conducted for qualitative data collection.Results: A third (28%) of participants in this study were unemployed, and only 14% (n = 7) of the participants owned or used a prosthesis. In addition, 50% of the participants either had a disability grant or were on pension. The participation restrictions identified were mainly related to mobility where 74% (n = 37) of participants had extreme difficulty with mobility in general, 92% (n = 46) struggled with walking distances longer than 1 km and 80% (n = 40) had extreme difficulty in completing household tasks quickly. The main VR needs identified in this study were the inadequate rehabilitation services that target ambulation (standing and walking) to facilitate employment.Conclusion: Persons with a unilateral LLA still experience significant difficulties in mobility 3 months post-amputation, which negatively affects their participation in society and vocational activities.

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugendrie Naidoo ◽  
Liezel Ennion

Background: Persons with disabilities who reside in rural areas experience challenges accessing and utilising health services and rehabilitation. Due to the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in rural regions, the risk of having a lower-limb amputation is increasing. Comprehensive rehabilitation is vital to mitigate the negative impact that a lower-limb amputation has on a person. Objective: To explore the barriers and facilitators to accessing rehabilitation experienced by persons with lower-limb amputations in a rural setting. Study Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was used to collect and analyse data. Methods: Data were collected from 11 conveniently sampled participants from three sub-district hospitals in the rural iLembe district, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews to explore the barriers and facilitators perceived by persons with lower-limb amputations in a rural region. Results: The three main barriers identified in this study were environmental factors, financial constraints and impairments. These barriers negatively impacted the participant’s utilisation of rehabilitation. The two main facilitators identified were environmental facilitators and personal factors which aided participant’s utilisation of rehabilitation. Conclusion: Access to rehabilitation was mainly hindered by the challenges utilising transport to the hospital, while self-motivation to improve was the strongest facilitator to utilising rehabilitation. Clinical relevance Rehabilitation is essential in preparation for prosthetic fitting. If a person cannot access rehabilitation services, they will remain dependent on caregivers. Highlighting the challenges to utilisation of rehabilitation in rural areas can assist to reduce these barriers and improve the functional status of persons with lower-limb amputations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Shapin Ibne Sayeed ◽  
Jodi Oakman ◽  
Michael P. Dillon ◽  
Rwth Stuckey

Abstract Background To quantify disability, occupation and socioeconomic status of individuals and their families in Bangladesh, post-unilateral lower-limb amputation (LLA) and pre-rehabilitation. Methods Between November 2017 and February 2018, people with unilateral LLA attending two XXX prosthetic rehabilitation centres were surveyed prior to rehabilitation, using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2.0) with additional socio-economic questions. Data was analysed descriptively, and cross-tabulation conducted with Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact tests. Results Seventy-six individuals participated. The majority had transtibial amputation (61.8%) from trauma (64.5%), were young adults (37.92 ± 12.35 years), in paid work prior to LLA (80%), married (63.2%), male (81.6%), from rural areas (78.9%), with primary/no education (72.4%). After LLA, mobility (WHODAS score 74.61 ± 13.19) was the most negatively affected domain. Most (60.5%) participants did not return to a paid or unpaid occupation. Acute healthcare costs negatively impacted most families (89.5%), and over 80% became impoverished. Nearly 70% of previous income-earners became economically dependent resulting in changes to traditional family roles. Conclusions Following LLA, most participants experienced significant mobility impairment, were unable to return to paid occupation and became economically dependent. The study population presents with many different characteristics from other people with LLA globally, which suggest with timely rehabilitation a return to paid employment is possible. The impact of LLA extends beyond the individual, including to families, many of whom face challenges with changes to traditional primary earner gendered roles. Improved access to timely and affordable rehabilitation is required to reduce the significant personal and societal costs of disability after LLA.


Author(s):  
Lisiane Piazza Luza ◽  
Diego Rodrigues Pimentel da Silva ◽  
Elizandra Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Greicy Kelly Wosniak Pires ◽  
Paulo José Barbosa Gutierres Filho ◽  
...  

Background: Limb loss affects quality of life, well-being, and autonomy. The World Health Organization has launched a global action plan to reduce physical inactivity and presented recommendations of physical activity for people living with disability. Knowledge of the characteristics of people with lower limb amputation regarding physical activity is important. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the quantity and type of physical activity done by people with lower limb amputation. Methods: The sample (N = 149) included adults aged 53.08 (17.24) years old with lower limb loss. Data collection was performed through the application of a sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical data sheet and the Brazilian version of the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities. Results: The total Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities score was between 0 and 65.79 metabolic equivalents of task per hour per day, which suggests low practice of physical activities. The most frequently practiced activities (79.9%) were those that involved stationary behavior. Women carried out more domestic activities, and subjects who used lower limb prosthesis and those with traumatic amputation reported higher practice of physical activity. Conclusions: People living with lower limb amputation, from different regions of Brazil, have low levels of physical activity and mainly carry out activities of stationary behavior.


2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luphiwo L. Mduzana ◽  
Surona Visagie ◽  
Gubela Mji

Background: Major lower limb amputation has a severe impact on functional mobility. Mobility can be salvaged with a prosthesis, but this is not always the best option. It is often difficult to decide whether to refer someone for a prosthesis or not. A prosthetic screening tool ‘Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb’ was developed and is used for prosthetic prescription in parts of the Western Cape province of South Africa.Objectives: This study aimed to explore the suitability of the tool ‘Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb’ for use in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.Method: A qualitative study was conducted with conveniently sampled occupational therapists (OTs) (n = 10), physiotherapists (PTs) (n = 12) and prosthetists (n = 6) in government employment in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality. Participants were trained in the use of the tool and used it for four weeks with patients. Their experiences of the tool were assessed through three focus group discussions with emergent themes being identified during inductive data analysis.Findings: Participants indicated that the tool could assist with prosthetic prescription, goal setting, communication and teamwork. They thought that the tool was multidisciplinary in nature, comprehensive and practical. Findings showed a lack of teamwork in this study setting. Resistance to change and a lack of time might also hamper implementation of the tool.Conclusion: The tool can assist with managing the backlog for prostheses and to guide prosthetic prescription in the Eastern Cape province.Clinical implications: A prosthesis can help to salvage functional mobility after lower limb amputation. However, not all people who had above knee amputation manage to walk with a prosthesis. The tool reported on in this article provides information that can guide prosthetic prescription and rehabilitation goals.


BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Gwilym ◽  
C Waldron ◽  
E Thomas-Jones ◽  
P Pallmann ◽  
R Preece ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Major Lower Limb Amputation (MLLA) is a life changing event with significant morbidity and mortality. Inaccurate risk prediction can lead to poor decision making, resulting in delay to definitive surgery, or undertaking amputation when not in the patient’s best interest. We aim to answer: In adult patients undergoing MLLA for chronic limb threatening ischaemia or diabetes, how accurately do health care professionals prospectively predict outcomes after MLLA, and how does this compare to existing prediction tools? Methods A multicentre prospective observational cohort study is being delivered through the Vascular and Endovascular Research Network. Dissemination was via an existing network of contacts and social media. Consecutive data will be collected for seven months from site launch date, including demographic data and pre-operative outcome predictions from surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied healthcare professionals. Follow-up data will comprise 30-day (mortality, morbidity, MLLA revision, surgical site infection, and blood transfusion) and 1-year (mortality, MLLA revision and ambulation). The accuracy of surgeons’ predictions will be evaluated and compared to pre-existing risk prediction scoring tools. Results PERCEIVE launched on 01/10/2020 with 23 centres (16 UK, 7 international) registered to collect data. 50 other centres (27 UK, 23 international) have expressed interest/are pursuing local audit/ethical approval. We aim to collect data on clinicians estimate of outcomes for over 500 patients. Discussion This study will utilise a trainee research network to provide data on the accuracy of healthcare professionals’ predictions of outcomes following MLLA and compare this to the utility of existing prediction tools in this patient cohort.


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