## 3 Results
### Mobility before and after Amputation  
Overall, 17 patients (63%) were very mobile before the amputation and reported being unrestricted outdoor walkers (K-level: 3-4). Four of these assigned themselves to mobility level K4. Nine other patients rarely moved outside even before the amputation, and one patient indicated that, despite several assistive devices, his mobility was very limited, even indoors. After amputation, all patients showed a reduction in mobility. The number of unrestricted outdoor walkers decreased from 17 to 5 patients. Consequently, most patients (63%) were indoor walkers after amputation. Although no patient was completely unable to walk (K-level 0) before amputation, four patients reported not being able to walk on their prosthesis after amputation. On average, the mobility level before amputation was 2.7 (\(\pm\)0.7). This value decreased to 2.2 (\(\pm\)0.6) after the amputation, requiring another assistive device to commute. See Figure 1.  
A total of 10 of 20 patients suffering nontraumatic amputation were unrestricted outdoor walkers (K levels 3-4), and no patient was completely unable to walk before amputation (K-level 0). Two achieved K-level-3 mobility and four amputees were unable to ambulate and rated their mobility at a mobility level of K0 after amputation. Within the subgroup of the traumatic amputees (N= 7), none of the participants reported a restriction in mobility prior to the trauma. After amputation, only three were still able to move outdoors without any restrictions (K-level 3 and 4). Three were classified K-level 2. No one reported a complete loss of mobility (K0). Overall Self-Rated Quality of Life (QoL) and Adaptation to Life after Amputation, Kind and Frequency of Support from Caregivers, and Prevalence of Amputation-Associated Pain  
See Table 2. A total of 23 patients (85%) enjoyed outside walking before the amputation. This number reduced to about half after the amputation (N = 12, 44%). A total of 60% (N = 16) were able to drive their car independently even after the amputation. The remaining 40% (N = 10), however, were not able to drive their car. Interestingly ten amputees who were able to drive their car also liked to go for a walk. A total of 22% of the amputees (N = 6) did not need any assistance in everyday life and were able to manage independently in everyday life. A total of 78% (N = 21) were dependent on assistance from their spouses or from social services. Seven amputees needed this help up to twice a day, while eight patients were already unable to carry out their activities without the help of a third party up to five times. Six amputees were constantly dependent on help from a third party (partner). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Items** & **Total (N = 27)** & **\%** \\ \hline Dependence on others & & \\
0–2 times a day & 6 & 22\% \\
3–5 times a day & 14 & 52\% \\ Constantly & 7 & 26\% \\ Enjoyed to go for a walk & 12 & 44\% \\ Independent driving (car) & 16 & 59\% \\ Self-rated degree of adaptation to the life after amputation & & \\ No & 1 & 4\% \\ Largely & 20 & 74\% \\ Completely & 5 & 22\% \\ Overall self-rated of QoL & & \\ No limitations & 2 & 7\% \\ Low limitations & 8 & 30\% \\ Average limitations & 5 & 19\% \\ Severe limitations & 12 & 44\% \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Results (% N = 27) of self-rated quality of life and adaptation to the new situation. Figure 1: Comparison of traumatic and nontraumatic mobility before and after amputation using K-level classification (Medicare Functional Classification Levels, MFCL) [9; 10]. Due to the consequent substantial changes of life after amputation, the patients' ability to adapt to life after adaptation was also analyzed. One of the 27 survey participants (4%) has not yet been able to adapt to the new living situation and consequently has major problems in everyday life. This patient reported to be constantly dependent on help and assistance from a third party (partner).