| Abstract: | Introduction: Below – knee amputation is a major surgical procedure that significantly affects the patient's physical, psychological, and social life. The most common causes of below-knee amputation are peripheral arterial disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic infections, and traumatic injuries. Various complications frequently occur after amputation, including surgical site infections, impaired wound healing, phantom limb pain, stump pain, and psychological problems, all of which significantly affect rehabilitation and the patient’s quality of life. A key part of patient management is nursing care, which includes monitoring vital signs, preventing complications, wound care, pain management, early mobilization, and psychosocial support for both the patient and their family members. Nurses also play an important role in rehabilitation and preparing patients for prosthesis use through continuous education, support, and coordination within the multidisciplinary team, thereby contributing to greater independence and more successful recovery. The aim of the diploma thesis is to present nursing care of the patient after below-knee amputation and to define the key nursing interventions, possible complications, and the role of the nurse in rehabilitation and preparation of the patient for prosthesis use.
Method: A qualitative research approach with a descriptive method and a systematic review of scientific and professional literature was used. Literature was obtained from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases. Open-access publications in Slovenian and English published between 2015 and 2025 were included. The following keywords were used: »amputation«, »nursing care«, »nurse«, »rehabilitation« and »psychosocial support«. Boolean operators AND/OR were used during the literature search. After reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts, and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 literature sources were included in the final analysis. The literature selection process was presented using a PRISMA diagram.
Results: The analysis of the selected literature showed that the most common causes of below-knee amputation are diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial disease, often associated with infections and chronic ulcers. The most common postoperative complications include surgical site infections, impaired wound healing, phantom limb pain, stump pain, and venous thromboembolism. The findings demonstrated that early rehabilitation, physiotherapy, appropriate stump preparation, and prosthesis use significantly improve functional outcomes and patients’ quality of life. Key nursing interventions include monitoring vital signs, preventing complications, surgical wound care, early mobilization, pain management, patient and family education, and psychosocial support. Nurses also play an important role in coordinating rehabilitation, monitoring patient progress, and preparing patients for prosthesis use.
Discussion: Effective management of patients after below-knee amputation requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, in which nurses play a key role in ensuring safe and continuous healthcare. Early recognition of complications, appropriate stump care, effective pain management, and timely rehabilitation significantly contribute to reducing complications and improving functional recovery. Psychosocial support is also an important part of patient care, as patients often experience depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. The findings emphasize the importance of continuous education, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the active role of nurses in rehabilitation and preparing patients for independent living after amputation. |
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