Satisfaction rates amongst elderly amputees provided with a static prosthetic foot.

Abstract

Persons in Israel losing a lower limb owing to disease and have an ambulatory potential are provided with an artificial limb financed by the Ministry of Health. The choice of foot provided depends upon the physicians' assessment of the amputees' ambulatory potential. The present study investigates the patients' satisfaction with the provided limb. A telephone survey was carried out and patients were asked to reply to a number of relevant questions. The less disabled patients', who received their prosthesis early, were the most satisfied. Increasing patient disability correlated with less prosthetic usage and hence greater dis-satisfaction. Solid ankle cushion heel (SACH) feet, which are cheap, are adequate for amputees with limited walking ability. Just over 10% of the patients who received an artificial limb could not continue using it and further studies should be conducted to investigate whether any predictive features can be found in order to minimise the financial waste.