Fabrication of a post-Operative Prosthesis- Quality of Life Among Lower Limb Prosthesis Users in Southern-Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A major rehabilitation goal in the care of limb amputees is to minimize the negative effects of this type of disability by using prosthesis, thereby improving the quality of life (QoL). Studies on QoL of amputees are sparse in Nigeria. Studies on the adoption and use of Post Operative Prosthesis are inexistent. The present study designed and fabricated a post-operative prosthesis and as well researched on the QoL of prosthesis-using-amputees using the Trinity Amputation Prosthesis Experiences Scales – Revised Edition (TAPEs-R) prosthetic outcome tool. Data collected was analyzed with SPSS version 24. Spearman’s correlation was used in the analysis of association between ranks, while Mann-Whitney U Test was used in the comparison of means. P value was set at 0.05 for all tests. An Adjustable Transtibial Post Operative Prosthesis (ATPOP) was designed and fabricated entirely from locally sourced materials and test fitted on an amputee. Above average scores were observed for all the scales. Age, Gender, Duration of Amputation, Duration of Prosthesis Usage were parameters that influenced QoL. The ATPOP was found to cost less than N20,000. This could be affordable to the amputee requiring it. Test for suspension and knee flexion resistance were positive. Acceptance and Satisfaction with the ATPOP yielded above Average scores. However, these tests were done on an already prosthesis-using-amputee due to inability to recruit a fresh amputee. Consequently, further studies should be conducted to test the device in a typical fresh amputee to determine its effectiveness as an acute stump therapy device and as an enhancer of QoL in the long run.