[The geriatric amputee after discharge from successful rehabilitation--a study of former patients of the "Eifelhöhenklinik" rehabilitation center in Nettersheim-Marmagen].

Based on two self-developed questionnaires, 110 successfully rehabilitated geriatric amputees were examined relative to their motives for continuing to use their prostheses post discharge, or for giving them up in favour of a wheelchair, respectively. Of these 110 patients, 24 reported to be using wheelchairs, 16 said they are using both, and 70 claimed to be using their prostheses most of the time; it however appeared from the control questions as well as information given by relatives that only 53 of these 70 persons were actually using their prostheses most of the time. The main motive for continued use of the prostheses was the desire to be independent, hence to lead an active life; a second major motive was a perception of being full of energy and enterprise, notwithstanding the fact that their actual walking results had not improved but even deteriorated. Those who used wheelchairs did not abandon their learned ability to walk with prostheses because they felt too ill or too weak, but did so because the wheelchair enabled a more comfortable way of life.