DEMOGRAPHICS AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR LIMB AMPUTATION IN PATIENTS REPORTING TO HELPING HAND INSTITUTE OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES, MANSEHRA, PAKISTAN: A RETROSPECTIVE RECORD-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY (2022-2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63075/a8g35d67Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, epidemiology, major limb amputation, peripheral vascular disease, Pakistan, traumaAbstract
Background: Major limb amputation (MLA) is a life-changing surgical intervention often performed for trauma, advanced disease, or irreversible limb damage. Understanding the frequency, pattern, and underlying indications is essential for targeted prevention and rehabilitation strategies.
Objective: To determine the frequency, pattern, and indications of MLA among patients in the last 2 years, presenting to the Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (HHIRS), Mansehra, Pakistan.
Methods: A retrospective record-based cross-sectional study was conducted at HHIRS, Mansehra, Pakistan for a time period of 2 years, from January 2022 to December 2024. All patients with Major Limb Amputation meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited. Data on demographic variables, amputation level, and etiological factors were extracted from institutional records and analysed using SPSS v.27 to generate frequency distributions and cross-tabulations.
Results: A total of 79 patients underwent MLA during the study period were included through convenient sampling. Lower limb amputations accounted for the majority of cases (92.4%), with below-knee amputation being the most frequent level (69.6%), followed by above-knee amputation (22.8%). Males were more commonly affected than females (84.8% vs. 15.2%). The most affected age group was between the 4th and 6th decades of life. Trauma was the predominant cause of MLA (44.3%), followed by diabetes mellitus (25.3%), peripheral vascular disease (5.1%), tumours (5.1%), and other causes including road traffic accidents, gunshot injuries, burns, falls, and earthquake-related injuries.
Conclusion: MLA is more prevalent among males, with the lower limb, particularly the below-knee level being most frequently affected. Trauma remains the leading cause, followed by diabetes. Prevention strategies should focus on injury reduction, diabetic foot care, and vascular disease management.
