People with lower limb amputation are at risk for secondary conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteopenia/osteoporosis, and back pain due to improperly fitting prosthetic devices (Gailey et al., 2008). Because many people with lower limb amputation wear prostheses for several hours during the day for mobility and to perform activities of daily living, a properly fitting prosthesis is important. Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip that often results in pain during walking is common for people with lower limb amputation because of the imbalance that may occur between weight-bearing on the leg with the prosthetic device as compared with the leg without the prosthetic device.

To read the entire column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/555/2494/Focus~on~Secondary~Condition~Prevention~~Lower~Limb~
Amputation~and~Long-Term~Prosthesis~Use.