Author(s): Santos, Isabel Margarida Silva Costa ; Oliveira, Isabel de Jesus ; Parola, Vítor Sérgio de Oliveira
Date: 2025
Origin: Athena Health & Research Journal
Subject(s): Surgical Amputation; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Postoperative Care; Rehabilitation
Introduction: After lower limb amputation surgery due to peripheral arterial disease, rehabilitation should be initiated early. Rehabilitation reduces complications and mortality, improves functional independence, mobility and prosthesis fitting. Despite the growing number of studies on people who have undergone amputation, no scoping review has yet mapped the evidence on rehabilitation interventions during the acute postoperative hospitalization period. Objectives: To map which rehabilitation interventions are implemented and evaluated, aimed at people who have undergone lower limb amputation due to peripheral arterial disease, in the postoperative period. Methodology: The scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Several databases will be searched (MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science, SciELO, SPORTDiscus with Full Text (via EBSCO), MedicLatina (via EBSCO)), and gray literature sources (Google Scholar, MedNar and RCAAP). Data extraction will use a tool developed based on the research objectives and eligibility criteria. Data synthesis will be presented narratively and in tables. The review will include studies with adults who underwent lower limb amputation due to peripheral arterial disease. Rehabilitation interventions implemented and evaluated by health professionals to promote functional independence, reduce hospital stay, and prevent complications will be considered. Studies with theoretical proposals, non-applied protocols, or targeting individuals already fitted with prostheses will be excluded. Conclusion: This review will provide an overview of early postoperative rehabilitation for people with amputation due to peripheral arterial disease, supporting evidence-informed practice and identifying gaps for future research.
