Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess if the incidence of lower extremity (LE) pressure injuries resulting in amputations was more frequent in ambulatory versus non-ambulatory patients with spina bifida.
Methods: The medical records of all patients at a large pediatric rehabilitation hospital who had spina bifida and a history of a pressure injury between 1997-2018 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: In this study, 112 patients with spina bifida developed LE pressure injuries, 53 patients walked with braces and/or an assistive device, and 59 patients used a wheelchair for mobility. Of the 11 patients who had amputations, 10 walked and 1 did not walk prior to their amputation. Ambulatory patients with LE pressure injuries had a 19% chance (10 out of 53 patients) of requiring an amputation. Non-ambulatory patients with a LE pressure injury had only a 2% chance (1 out of 59 patients) of requiring an amputation. Ambulatory patients with LE pressure injuries were at a much higher risk of requiring an amputation than patients who did not walk (p-value of < 0.005).
Conclusion: Patients with spina bifida who are ambulatory and develop a pressure injury have a high risk of ultimately needing an amputation and should be monitored and treated aggressively.
Keywords: Spina bifida; ambulation; amputation; pressure injury; pressure ulcer.