Level of Satisfaction with Prosthesis and Prosthetic Services in Veterans with Transtibial Amputation

Aims: To investigate the amputee veterans’ satisfaction in the prosthesis and the services provided by the health and care centers is very important to find out the problems and to solve them. The aim of this study was to assess the veterans’ satisfaction in the utilized prosthesis and the prosthetic services provided by Kowsar Orthotic and Prosthetic Center in Tehran. Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 veterans with transtibial amputation, who used to utilize the low-limb prosthesis of Tehran Kowsar Center (Iran), were selected via census method. The orthotic prosthetic user survey (OPUS) was used to assess the subjects’ satisfaction in the prosthesis and the prosthetic services. Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 software using one-way ANOVA, post-hoc, and Chi-square tests. Findings: The mean score of satisfaction in the prosthesis was 45.94±11.62. In addition, the easy wearing prosthesis and the costs of repair and replacement of the prosthetic pieces received maximum and minimum scores, respectively. The mean score of satisfaction in the provided services was 65.77±22.14. In addition, the proper politeness of the employees and the conducted trainings for the utilization and maintenance of the prosthesis received maximum and minimum scores, respectively. Conclusion: The satisfaction level of the veterans with transtibial amputation in the prosthetic services is relatively high. Nevertheless, the relative satisfaction levels decrease in the costs of repair and replacement of the prosthetic parts and the sufficient training for the utilization and maintenance of the prosthesis