Physical and Psychosocial Functions of Adults with Lower Limb Congenital Deficiencies and Amputations in Childhood

Abstract EN

Objectives.

(1) To describe the epidemiological and medical features of a sample with LLA and LLD in childhood and (2) to explore their relationship with subsequent physical and psychosocial functions in adulthood.

Methods.

Cross-sectional survey.

Demographics, medical data, Locomotor Capabilities Index (LCI), and Discomfort-Engagement in Everyday Activities Involving Revealing the Body Scale (D-EEARB) were collected from thirty-two adults who suffered from LLA in childhood or LLD.

Results.

Most of the sample (53.1% males) was working (84.4%), living independently (75%), and single (75%).

Mean age was 33.16 (SD = 7.64, range 18–50).

Leading causes for LLA were traumatic (40.6%) and oncologic (25%).

LLD was present in 6 cases (18.8%).

LCI scores revealed a high performance among males ( t 17,464 = 2.976 , p = .

008 ).

D-EEARB scores showed that 56.25% stated feeling “quite” or “totally comfortable” in situations which involved revealing their body, but 43.75% stated the contrary (“uncomfortable” or “very uncomfortable”).

LLD and traumatic LLA show higher scores in D-EEARB than vascular and oncological LLA ( χ 2 = 7.744 , df = 3, p = .

05 ).

Conclusions.

Adults suffering from LLDs and LLAs during childhood seem to perform well once they are adults.

However, 43.75% of patients express considerable discomfort in situations that involve revealing the body.