A meta-analysis was recently conducted on many of the major outcomes that occur following trauma-related lower-limb amputations; the study authors culled data from a comparatively high number of subjects extracted from numerous, previously published studies.1 Employment was among the outcomes considered. Drawing from 17 prior studies that addressed the issue, the authors were able to report on the employment rates observed among 1,222 individuals with traumatic lower-limb amputations, inclusive of 689 transtibial, 327 transfemoral, and 159 bilateral amputations, along with 47 knee disarticulations. As might be expected, employment rates were highest among those with transtibial amputations (74 percent) and lowest amongst those with transfemoral amputations (64 percent), with employment rates of 70 percent observed at the two remaining amputation levels.1 While the employment rates were encouragingly high across the various levels, additional questions arise: Are these individuals generally satisfied with their employment? Are similar trends observed in individuals with upper-limb amputations? Do people return to their pre-amputation vocations? If so, how many require workplace adaptations? How common is workplace discrimination and where is it more likely to occur?
This article examines the various considerations associated with return to work following amputation.
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