| Abstrakt | | Purpose: Review of literature on return to work after lower limb amputation. Method: A comprehensive review of literature on return to work after lower limb amputation. Search in MEDLINE and PubMED. Results: Most authors find return to work rate to be about 66 percent. Twenty-two to 67 percent of the subjects retained the same occupation, the others had to change it. Post amputation jobs were generally more complex with a requirement for a higher level of general educational development and physically less demanding. The return to work depends on general factors, such as age, gender and educational level; factors related to impairments and disabilities due to amputation (amputation level, multiple amputations, comorbidity, reason for amputation, persistent stump problems, the time from the injury to obtaining a permanent prosthesis, wearing comfort of the prosthesis, walking distance and restrictions in mobility); and factors related to work and policies (salary, higher job involvement, good support from the implementing body and the employer and social support network). Conclusions: Subjects after lower limb amputation have problems with returning to work. Many have to change their work and/or work only part time. Vocational rehabilitation and counselling should become a part of rehabilitation program for all subjects after lower limb amputation who are at working age. Better cooperation between professionals, such as rehabilitation team members, implementing bodies, company doctors and the employers, is necessary.
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