Comparison of Removable Rigid Dressing and Elastic Bandage for Residual Limb Maturation in Transtibial Amputees: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

To determine the effect of a removable rigid dressing (RRD) on the time to residual limb maturation compared with elastic bandage (EB) in transtibial amputees. Experimental single-blinded (assessor-blinded) randomized controlled trial. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Transtibial amputees (N=25) with immature residual limb. Participants were allocated to use RRD or EB to achieve residual limb maturation, and all participants in both groups were trained with the same preprosthetic program. The time to residual limb maturation, patient satisfaction, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Median time to residual limb maturation was significantly lower in the RRD group (median, 28d [interquartile range, 17-51d]) than in the EB group (median, 54d [interquartile range, 30-77d]; P=.020). After accounting for time since amputation, maturation time remained significantly lower in the RRD group (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.08-10.20; P=.036). There was no significant difference in complications or patient satisfaction. In postoperative management of transtibial amputation, the use of RRD had a significantly shorter period to residual limb maturation when compared with the EB group.