Care for an elderly person after lower limb amputation

Prylińska Monika, Husejko Jakub, Kwiatkowska Klaudia, Wycech Alicja, Kujaciński Marcin, Rymarska Olga, Sarnowska Joanna, Rogala Dorota, Jarosz Karol, Nieciecka Adrianna, Skierkowska Natalia, Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia. Care for an elderly person after lower limb amputation. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2019;9(8):886-894. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3370924

http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/7263

The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26/01/2017).

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© The Authors 2019;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland

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Received: 05.07.2019. Revised: 25.07.2019. Accepted: 19.08.2019.

Care for an elderly person after lower limb amputation

Monika Prylińska², Jakub Husejko¹, Klaudia Kwiatkowska¹, Alicja Wycech¹, Marcin Kujaciński¹, Olga Rymarska¹, Joanna Sarnowska¹, Dorota Rogala¹, Karol Jarosz¹, Adrianna Nieciecka¹, Natalia Skierkowska¹,

Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska¹

1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department and Clinic of Geriatrics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz

2. Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Ergonomics, ul. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 9, Bydgoszcz, Poland

Abstract

Introduction: Although currently less major amputation is performed, due to  more effective revascularization and endovascular treatment, limbs amputations are still necessary and commonly used as a therapeutic method. Amputation of the lower limb is associated with long-term hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation and a high level of mortality among older people. For the elderly, additionally suffer from number of chronic diseases, who for various reasons amputation of the limb is the only possible treatment option, recommendations regarding further care after such surgery are important.

Results: Causes of lower limb amputation include ia. non-traumatic reasons like diabetes or infection and traumatic ones. Frequency of removal of the lower limb, regardless of its reason is estimated about 5.6 to 600 per 100,000 people and the percentage is about 20 times higher in diabetes-suffering people than in non-diabetic. In the case of this disease, amputations mainly concern men over 60 years of age, as well as people who have been subject to hospital treatment many times. Care for a patient who is prepared to amputation procedure include pre- and post-operative rehabilitation, prosthesis of amputated limb, psychological care, patient education and also pharmacotherapy. It is important to give to patient enoxaparin to reduce thromboembolic risk. To increase quality of life after amputation it is important to provide adequate nursing care.

Discussion: Other overlooked diseases, which can lead to lower limb amputation are ia. Charcot disease. Proper diagnosis, differentiation and treatment process is extremely important cause can allow patient to avoid the amputation.

Conclusion: Gathered recommendations for correct, high-quality, multi-faceted medical care for patients after amputation of the lower limb will improve the quality of medical services for this group of patients.

Keywords: elderly person; lower limb; amputation