Early Rehabilitation After Transfemoral Amputation in Moderately Active Patients

Treatment and rehabilitation after transfemoral amputation represents a challenging medical field, involving intersectoral parties. Although treatment guidelines exists, their implementation is difficult. This study is conducted to evaluate the need to practice these guidelines in order to gain best benefits for the patients. Focus is set of early inpatient rehabilitation and the role of a microprocessor-controlled prothesis (Kenevo, Ottobock).

Right after major surgeries, e.g. amputations, inpatient rehabilitation follows in Germany. Costs are covered by different insurances, like public or private health care insurances or German pension insurance. Usually, inpatient rehabilitation lasts for 3 weeks. But after some surgeries, like amputation, patients need more time to recover and fitting of a prosthesis takes additional time. Therefore guidelines state, that rehabilitation should take up to 6-8 weeks after major amputation. To provide evidence to these guidelines, we conducted this study. Patients' choice on rehabilitation clinic decides on their assignment to the study group or control group. Inpatient rehabilitation is monitored with outcomes measurements. 3 measurements are carried out in the study group within rehabilitational stay of around 6 weeks (admission - middle - discharge) and 2 measurements are carried out in the control group within rehabilitational stay of around 3 weeks (admission - discharge). After discharge from rehabilitation, assessment of patient reported outcome measurements is continued every 6 weeks for both groups. Follow-up phase ends with 24 weeks after admission to rehabilitation. For subanalysis, different prosthetic devices (non-microprocessor-controlled vs. microprocessor-controlled prosthesis) are compared.