[Amputation in low-income countries: particularities in epidmiological features and management practices].

Abstract

The epidemiological features and management practices associated with amputation in low-income countries, generally synonymous with the tropics, are different from those observed in Western countries. Unlike developed countries, amputation most frequently involves traumatic injury in young active people. However, Westernization of the lifestyle is leading to an increasing number of cases involving diabetes and atherosclerotic disease. In the developing world, leprosy and Buruli ulcer are still significant etiologic factors for amputation. In war-torn countries, use of antipersonnel landmines is another major cause of amputation with characteristic features. Management of amputees in the developing world is hindered by the lack of facilities for rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting. Many international organizations are supporting national programs to develop such facilities. In addition to being affordable, prosthetics and orthotics must be adapted to the living conditions of a mostly rural amputee population, i.e., heat, humidity, and farm work. The rehabilitation process must be part of a global handicap policy aimed at changing attitudes about disability and reintegrating amputees both socially and professionally.

• Authors: H Bisseriex, D Rogez, M Thomas, S Truffaut, S Compere, H Mercier, F Dochez, E Lapeyre, L Thefenne
• Journal: Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial (Med Trop (Mars)) Vol. 71 Issue 6 Pg. 565-71 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 0025-682X [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Les amputations dans les pays à faibles revenus: particularités de l'épidémiologie, de l'appareillage et de la rééducation.
• PMID: 22393622 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Explosive Agents

Topics

• Amputation, Surgical (instrumentation, methods, rehabilitation, statistics & numerical data)
• Amputees (rehabilitation)
• Developing Countries (statistics & numerical data)
• Education, Professional, Retraining
• Explosive Agents
• Humans
• Poverty (statistics & numerical data)
• Practice Management (statistics & numerical data)
• Practice Patterns, Physicians' (statistics & numerical data)
• Prostheses and Implants (statistics & numerical data)
• Prosthesis Implantation (methods, rehabilitation)
• Social Adjustment