Prosthetic use by persons with unilateral transfemoral amputation in a South African setting

Background:Due to limitations in provision of prosthetic care in South Africa, a screening tool to select transfemoral prosthetic candidates has been implemented.Objective:To describe prosthetic services, use and mobility of people with transfemoral amputation, identified as prosthetic candidates through the Guidelines for Screening of Prosthetic Candidates: Lower Limb, and to identify variables that might influence prosthetic use and mobility.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Methods:The study population included all adults who received their first prosthesis from the Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre in the Western Cape between 1 June 2011 and 31 December 2014. Data were collected, with an adapted version of the Prosthetic Profile of the Amputee, from 43 participants, through telephonic interviews. Descriptive and inferential analysis, with the chi-square test, was done.Results:The majority of participants were older than 50 years (77%). Most participants (35; 81%) used their prosthesis; however, only 42% (18)...