engleski

Rehabilitation of landmine victims

Amputation is the most frequent consequence of injuries caused by mines and is also the main cause of disability. This paper is a review of rehabilitation of amputees based on our documentation and clinical experience. Out of a total of 103 civilian landmine victims rehabilitated in our institute, the rehabilitation outcomes were examined in 30 cases. Telephone interviews were conducted and sociodemografic, mobility and independence data and psychosocial status were recorded. 26 male and 4 female participants took part in the study, with an average age of 52. Seventy- three per cent have below-knee amputation, 20% above-knee amputation and 7% bilateral amputation. The rehabilitation outcome showed that all the patients have good mobility and use their prosthesis 10.2 hours per day. In their daily activities, 23 patients are completely independent, 6 of them partially, and only one is dependent. The economic status remained the same for 18 participants, improved for 3 of them and worsened for 9 participants. After the amputation, the quality of life of 80% of the amputees has changed. Twenty patients indicated a lower quality of life and 9 patients felt it had remained the same. In conclusion, it can be emphasized that all the patients show good mobility and independence in their daily activities, which proves that the medical rehabilitation was successful. However, the changed lifestyle of landmine victims and lower quality of life, require permanent psychological and social support in their integration into normal life.

rehabilitation; landmine; amputation

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