Anderson Jacob, Gaschen Paul, Jain Neil, Cushman Caroline, Hernandez Evan J, Mackay Brendan J
From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Mr. Anderson, Dr. Gaschen, Dr. Jain, Mrs. Cushman, Mr. Hernandez, and Dr. Mackay); the Community, Family, and Addiction Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (Mr. Hernandez); and the Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL (Mr. Hernandez).
J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2025 Mar 3;9(3). doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00198. eCollection 2025 Mar 1.
Below-knee amputations (BKAs) treat lower-limb conditions such as ischemia, peripheral artery disease, and trauma. This study uses social media to examine patient outcomes and perspectives post-BKA.
Data from Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) from February 26, 2014, to February 26, 2024, were analyzed. Posts from the Facebook groups "Amputee Support Group" and "Below Knee Amputee," along with posts tagged with #belowkneeamputation and #belowkneeamputee on Instagram and X, were examined for demographics, perspective, and perceived outcomes.
Analysis of 571 Facebook posts, 520 Instagram posts, and 64 X posts revealed 67% positive outcomes, 20.1% neutral, and 12.9% negative. Instagram showed the most positive responses, often from patients resuming physical activities. Facebook was predominant with neutral posts seeking advice, while X displayed mostly positive feedback. Negative feedback on Facebook centered on phantom pain and reduced quality of life.
Most BKA patients reported positive postoperative outcomes. Facebook emerged as a vital platform for individuals to share their challenges and seek support, enabling them to join specialized support groups where they can connect with others facing similar issues and receive advice and encouragement. Negative outcomes, often related to persistent pain and dissatisfaction with life quality, underscore the need for surgeons to manage expectations and address physical and emotional recovery aspects of BKA.
膝下截肢术（BKAs）用于治疗下肢疾病，如缺血、外周动脉疾病和创伤。本研究利用社交媒体来考察膝下截肢术后的患者预后及观点。
对2014年2月26日至2024年2月26日期间来自脸书、照片墙和X（原推特）的数据进行分析。考察了脸书群组“截肢者支持小组”和“膝下截肢者”的帖子，以及照片墙和X上带有#膝下截肢和#膝下截肢者标签的帖子，以了解人口统计学信息、观点和感知到的结果。
对571条脸书帖子、520条照片墙帖子和64条X帖子的分析显示，67%的结果为积极，20.1%为中性，12.9%为消极。照片墙显示出最积极的回应，通常来自恢复体育活动的患者。脸书上主要是寻求建议的中性帖子，而X上大多是积极反馈。脸书上的负面反馈集中在幻肢痛和生活质量下降。
大多数膝下截肢患者报告了积极的术后结果。脸书成为个人分享挑战和寻求支持的重要平台，使他们能够加入专门的支持小组，在那里他们可以与面临类似问题的其他人建立联系，并获得建议和鼓励。负面结果，通常与持续疼痛和对生活质量的不满有关，强调外科医生需要管理患者的期望，并解决膝下截肢术后身体和情绪恢复方面的问题。
