Knowledge and skill of patients with regard to amputation stump bandaging, prior to a prosthesis

Abstract

A swollen or poorly coned stump makes it impossible fo r the prosthetist to provide a patient who had an amputation with a prosthesis. It is both costly, and time consuming for the patient and the amputation team if the patient needs to make repeated visits to the clinic. The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge and skill of patients with regard to amputation stump bandaging. Thirty-three lower limb amputees, who visited the amputation clinic, were randomly chosen to participate in this survey. The investigation included a questionnaire and a physical evaluation by a physiotherapist on the effectiveness of the bandaging. Results: Only 16 (49%) of subjects received information, education and demonstration on bandaging for their stump. Three of the 16 subjects were judged to have had effective stump bandaging. From this study it is clear that there is a lack of knowledge and skills relating to bandaging amongst amputation patients and that this urgently needs to be rectified to ensure maximal functional outcomes.

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