Health Needs of Patients with Lower Limb Amputation in Postoperative Period

Abstract

Background: Amputation brings a drastic change in a person"s life. This change has an effect on health needs of the individual due to the physical activities limitations. It also affects the individual's psychosocial and economic states. Aim: Assess health needs of patients with lower limb amputation in postoperative period Subjects and Method: Design a descriptive research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in vascular, surgical and the isolation department for patients with diabetic foot in Mansoura university hospital and surgical ward in Al Salam Hospital in Port Said city. Subjects: purposive sample used in this study. Lower limp amputation patients 100 participated in the study Tools: Data were collected using two tools, patients' knowledge questionnaire and health needs questionnaire of lower limp amputation patients. Results: Results revealed that 67% studied patients had unsatisfied knowledge regarding wound care after discharge, 81% had unsatisfied knowledge regarding exercises and assistive devices used during movement. Patients had unsatisfied total measures regarding decrease pain and prevent muscle contracture (87%, 73%) respectively. Most need reported by patient"s physical, psychological and social (83%, 80%, 85) respectively. Conclusion: The current study concluded that patients need knowledge regarding wound care after discharge and exercises, assistive devices used during movement and most of the study patients need support including: physical, psychological, and social needs. Recommendation: Continuous educational programs to improve patients' knowledge, measures and assess needs regarding to care for patients with lower limb amputation.