Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Knee Osteoarthritis in Contra-lateral Limb After Limb Amputation

This study aims to determine the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and associated risk factors in the contralateral limb after lower limb amputation.

This cross-sectional survey included 500 lower limb amputees using prostheses for at least 1 year using convenience sampling from the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences (PIPOS), Peshawar City, Pakistan rehabilitation services program (PRSP) and its satellite centers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A sample included either gender aged 20 to 80 years. A basic demographic sheet and risk factors questionnaire and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines diagnostic knee OA criteria, such as using history, physical examination, and radiographic findings were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 21. T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics were utilized to observe any relationship with P<0.05 as significant. 

The current study revealed the prevalence of OA in 131 people (26.2%) with a higher prevalence in 86 married men (65.5%) aged 51-80 years (99[75.6%] and 99[75.6%]) with the predominance of 87 trans-tibial amputees (TTA) (66.4%). Sustained knee bending was the most prevalent risk factor in 127 people (96.9%, 31.07), followed by the history of a painful knee injury in 117 people (89.3%, 12.00), sitting on the floor for home activities in 106 people (80.9%, 8.00) and occupation with knee use in 129 people (98.5%, 7.25).

The high prevalence of 26.2% of OA in the sound limb in lower limb amputees is more common in married men aged 51-80 years with trans-tibial amputation on the contralateral side. Common risk factors include sustained knee bending, a history of a painful knee injury, sitting on the floor for home activities, and occupations with knee use.