Characterizing the Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Males and Females With Lower Limb Amputation: Initial Study Findings.

PURPOSE

Investigate the prevalence of pelvic floor disorder symptoms in males and females with unilateral lower limb amputation.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey-based study. Study surveys were administered online through a study-specific Qualtrics site and participants accessed surveys from the privacy of their own environment. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 was utilized to determine the presence and severity of pelvic floor disorder symptoms. Both traditional and contemporary methods of scoring were utilized in reporting results, with the newer scoring method offering a severity of distress classification.

RESULTS

Respondents were 135 individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation who utilize a prosthetic limb for daily mobility. Preliminary results indicate that 98% of participants are experiencing some level of distress from pelvic floor disorder symptoms. Additionally, 71.9% of participants reported previous medical treatment for low back pain and 59.3% reported falling in the past year. Correlation between traditional and contemporary scoring techniques was strong (r = 0.97, < .001). Female participants, and those with previous low back pain or falls presented with significantly higher scores ( < .01).

DISCUSSION

This is the first study to explore the magnitude of pelvic floor disorders in males and females with lower limb amputation. Results indicate that a high percentage of individuals with unilateral major leg amputations are experiencing some level of distress due to pelvic floor symptoms, with concomitant reports of low back pain and falls. Continued investigation is warranted to further identify the effects of pelvic floor symptoms on functioning and quality of life.