Prevalence of low back pain after transfemoral amputation related to physical activity and other prosthesis-related parameters

Background: Although clinical experience indicates that prolonged use of a prosthesis after transfemoral amputation (TFA) is related to a higher incidence of low back pain (LBP), few data are available to substantiate this impression. Therefore, in a TFA population, we investigated the prevalence of LBP and its relationship with years since amputation, as well as the level of daily physical activity and other prosthesis-related parameters. Method: Questionnaires were sent to 490 subjects with TFA. Of these, 240 questionnaires could be used for analysis. Results: Trauma and tumours were the most frequent reasons for amputation. The majority of the study group was aged under 30 years at the time of surgery, had been using a prosthesis more than 10 years, and had a moderately active life. Serious LBP (i.e. frequent or permanent LBP) was reported in 26.3% of the participants. No relationship was found between LBP and years since amputation or physical activity. Conclusion: The data show that the prevalence of LBP in our study group is higher than in the general population, and higher in the female than in the male participants. The initial assumption that there is a higher and increasing length of time since amputation and physical activity level is not confirmed in this study.