Lower Limb Amputations in the Southern Part of Jordan

Objective: to determine the prevalence and causes of lower limb amputations in the southern part of jordan. methods: the medical records of all patients with lower limb amputation who were followed up at physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic at prince ali hospital in karak province, between november 1998 and march 2006 were reviewed; age, sex, and causes of amputations were recorded. results: a total of (122) patients were studied, among which 87 men (71%) and 35 women (29%) were included, the mean age was 46 years. trans-tibial amputation was the leading level (52%). the most common cause of amputation was dm (34%) followed by trauma (33%). conclusion: diabetes mellitus and trauma are the leading causes of lower limb amputation in the southern part of jordan. programs intended to minimize the complications of these conditions and proper identification of high- risk patients should decrease the occurrence of amputations.