Lower limb amputees are at a higher risk of falls and fall related injuries. 61% of subjects sampled reported two or more falls in the past 12 months. Falls were particularly high in women and non-White patients, as well as those with non-traumatic amputation (e.g. due to peripheral vascular disease or diabetes). Notably, only 12% of falls were attributed to external barriers like ramps and stairs (Inj Epidemiol. 2018 Nov 12;5(1):42).
This study underscores the often overlooked risk of falls in this vulnerable and often under-served patient population.
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