The effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation in the acute postoperative phase of care after transtibial or transfemoral amputation: study of an integrated health care delivery system.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes between lower-extremity amputees who receive and do not receive acute postoperative inpatient rehabilitation within a large integrated health care delivery system.

DESIGN

An observational study using multivariable propensity score risk adjustment to reduce treatment selection bias.

SETTING

Data compiled from 9 administrative databases from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

PARTICIPANTS

A national cohort of veterans (N=2673) who underwent transtibial or transfemoral amputation between October 1, 2002, and September 30, 2004.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

One-year cumulative survival, home discharge from the hospital, and prosthetic limb procurement within the first postoperative year.

RESULTS

After reducing selection bias, patients who received acute postoperative inpatient rehabilitation compared to those with no evidence of inpatient rehabilitation had an increased likelihood of 1-year survival (odds ratio [OR]=1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-1.80) and home discharge (OR=2.58; 95% CI, 2.17-3.06). Prosthetic limb procurement did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The receipt of rehabilitation in the acute postoperative inpatient period was associated with a greater likelihood of 1-year survival and home discharge from the hospital. Results support early postoperative inpatient rehabilitation following amputation.