Author/Editor		Burger, H; Marinček, Č
Title		Amputacije zgornjih udov in protetična obravnava amputiranih v Sloveniji
Translated title		Upper limb amputations and prosthetic care in Slovenia
Type		članek
Source		Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.		Letnik 64, št. Suppl 1
Publication year		1995
Volume		str. I-13-I-17
Language		slo
Abstract		Purpose. The objective of this study is to review upper limb amputations and prosthetic care in Slovenia. Methods and respondents. All upper limb amputees (414) who visited the Orthotic and Prosthetic Outpatient clinic in five years (1987-92) were sent a questionnaire. The replies (266- 64.3 percent) were subject to statistical analysis. Results. At the time of amputation, the persons concerned were fairly young, aged 20.0 years on the average. Different injuries were cause of 89.9 percent of amputations, 47.9 percent were war injuries. Two third were below-elbow amputations, one fifth were above-elbow and 12.8 percent were partial arm amputations, while exarticulations in joints are rare. As many as 63.5 percent of upper limb amputees in Slovenia have a cosmetic prosthesis and no less than 70 percent poses one single prosthesis. Considering body powered prostheses, twice as many individuals have a prosthesis with hand than one with a hook. Conclusions. Because of the young age, the intensive prosthetic care of persons with upper limb amputation is very, important. In the last few years, an obvious improvement in the general attitude to prosthetic care can be noticed, though the use of upper limb prostheses is far from satisfactory. For upper limb amputees in Slovenia cosmetic appearance is more important than function. The reason could be little interest and availability of more expensive functional prosthesis. Also Slovenian legislation is still not motivating persons with amputation for work and employment. We believe that also in Slovenia persons with amputation need two prosthesis, one cosmetic and one functional.
Descriptors		AMPUTATION ARM PROSTHESIS QUESTIONNAIRES