J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2001 Aug;25(4):707-713.

Clinical Features of Lower Extremity Amputees in Hwa Sung Goon: One Korean County

• Han TR
• Kim JH
• Chung SG
• Lim JY
• Lim SJ
• Choi JK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and prosthetic uses of lower extremity amputee in one Korean county. METHOD: We asked community health worker in Hwa Sung Goon to recruit lower extremity amputees. We contacted them by telephone and tried to know their prosthetic uses, adaptations and their behavior about prosthetic usage. Also, we recruited all lower extremity amputees in Hwa Sung Goon.
RESULTS
In Hwa Sung Goon, the prevalence of lower extremity amputees was 35 persons per 100,000. 93.8% of them had prostheses, more than half of them were not satisfied with their prosthetic use. For last 10 years, they changed into new prosthesis per 2.3 years.
CONCLUSION
In one Korean county, the prevalence of lower extremity amputees was 0.03%. Most of them used their prosthesis, and walked independently. Their compliances with rehabilitative intervention were very low.

Keyword

Lower extremity amputees; Prevalence; Prosthetic uses

MeSH Terms

Amputees*
Community Health Workers
Humans
Lower Extremity*
Prevalence
Prostheses and Implants
Telephone