Statistical Survey on the Amputees

Shim, Jae Ik; Chung, In Whan; Kim, Ki Chung

Abstract

We have made a statistical survey on 2441 amputated limbs of 2150 patients who were treated at the Depart- ment of Orthopedic Surgery and who were prescribed the prosthetics at the Prosthetic Center of Veterans Hospital from Mar. 1972 to Feb. 1982. 1. The peak incidence was in the age group from 21 to 30 years with 1546 cases (63.3%). Of 2150 patients only 9 patients were female. 2. The main causes of amputation were trauma with 1901 cases (77.9%), vascular insufficiency with 326 cases (13.4%) and chronic osteomyelitis with 157 cases (6.4%). And the most fre#quent cause of traumatic amputation was explosive injury with 1080 cases (56.8%). 3. Of the 2441 amputated limbs, 1756 cases (71.91°) were at the lower extremity and the most frequent site was below the knee with 1000 cases (57%). 4. Minor limb amputation was performed on 326 cases (13.4%). 5. Multiple limb amputation was performed on 255 patients (11.9%) and of these 12 patients were amputated on 4 extremities. 6. Reoperation was performed on 420 cases (17.2%). It was most prevalent in the lower extremity with 365 cases (86.9%) and their main cause was neuroma with 171 cases (40.7%). The most frequent site was below the knee with 240 cases (57.2%).