Factors affecting functional outcome of lower limb amputee soldiers in two Districts of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aim of this study was to describe: details of injury leading to lower limb amputation, the management; the functional outcome of lower limb amputee soldiers in terms of use of prostheses, vocational status, self assessed general health, mental health and factors affecting them; and opinions, expectations and experience of amputee soldiers and general public regarding 'rehabilitation’. In order to achieve these objectives, a community based study comprising a cross sectional survey with a comparison group and a qualitative study was conducted in the districts of Anuradhapura and Kurunegala of Sri Lanka. This study concludes that, in general, overall functional outcome of amputee soldiers was not satisfactory with room for improvement to make them more productive within the context of their physical limitations and thereby relieve the burden to the family, society and to the country to some extent. Several primary and secondary strategies for this purpose are recommended