Self-reported Functional Status in US Service Members After Combat-Related Amputation

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Jul;98(7):631-635. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001140.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the functional status of US service members after combat-related amputation. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a subsample of the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project, an ongoing, web-based, longitudinal examination of patient-reported outcomes of injured service members. The study sample included 82 Wounded Warrior Recovery Project participants with a combat-related lower extremity amputation who reported using a prosthetic device and completed the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey Lower Extremity Functional Status, which measures self-reported functional status in participants with a prosthetic device. Basic activities, such as walking indoors, getting on and off the toilet, and getting up from a chair, were reported by the majority of participants as "very easy/easy," whereas higher-level activities, such as climbing stairs, walking long distances, or running, were more often reported as "slightly difficult/very difficult" or "cannot do this activity." Functional status varied significantly by amputation site (unilateral below knee, unilateral above knee, or bilateral; P = 0.004), with significantly better function reported in those with unilateral below knee than bilateral amputation (P < 0.05). These findings highlight deficits in the functional status of US service members with combat-related amputation. Self-reported functional status of daily activities may help target important activities for patient-centered goals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Adult
  • Amputation, Surgical / psychology*
  • Amputees / psychology*
  • Artificial Limbs
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Quality of Life
  • Veterans / psychology*