## 3 Results
### Supply with Assistive Devices Including Prosthetic Fitting  
A total of 26 of the 27 patients (96%) reported to be fitted to a prosthesis. One patient's (hind foot) amputation was supplied with orthopedic footwear and further assistive devices, such as a walker, walking stick, and a wheelchair. In most cases, prosthetic fitting was initiated quickly but limited by the wound healing process, which took up to six weeks until being completed, according to the answers. Nine amputees underwent their first trial fitting of the prosthesis as early as four weeks after amputation and were able to begin gait training and further rehabilitative exercise. The start of the first trial fitting of the majority of the patients ranged between 8 and 28 weeks due to various factors (revision surgeries such as scar corrections, infections, and prolonged wound healing). In one case, the health insurance refused to approve the cost coverage and thereby prolonged the initiation of the prosthetic fitting process. As a result, the average time until first prosthetic fitting, defined as first time walking on the interim prosthesis, was 11 weeks (\(\pm\)6.85) (N = 26). Only 20 participants of the survey gave any information about their prosthetic components in the questionnaire. A total of 45% (N = 9) were able to provide the name of the manufacturer and 55% (N = 11) were able to provide further information about their exact prosthetic components. During the second telephone call, the interviewer could clarify that 25% of the AKA and knee-disarticulated amputees (N = 8) were fitted with a mechanical and 38% reported being fitted with a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint. The remaining AKAs and knee-disarticulated amputees could not provide information about their knee joint or be reached by telephone. The survey revealed even less knowledge about prosthetic feet components. While 25% (N = 5) of the 20 patients use a carbon foot, one a Bellmann prosthesis, and another one orthopedic shoes, the majority 65% (N = 13) could not give details about their prosthetic foot component. Eight patients (40%) received a second (N = 6) or even a third additional prosthesis (N = 2). These patients received bathing prostheses (N = 6) and one a sport prosthesis (N = 1). Two patients (10%) used a former outdated prosthesis as a replacement prosthesis to \"get to the supply store in emergency cases\". More than half of the patients surveyed (60%) did not receive a second prosthesis as they expressed \"no need\" or \"not even knowing that they could get a second prosthesis\". Two did not receive a second prosthesis, although both would like to have a bathing prosthesis as the health insurance company did not approve it. Fifteen amputees (56%) wore their prosthesis on average up to eight hours a day. All others reported difficulties, with a maximum wearing time of four hours daily (N = 10). Two (7%) participants stated that they were not able to wear their prosthesis at all (Figure 2). A total of 26 amputees (96%) needed or were supplied with at least one further assistive device (Figure 2). In contrast, only five amputees (18%) needed to use an assistive device prior to the amputation. The dependence on assistive devices, mainly walking aids (23 out of 37 assistive devices), increased after amputation to an average amount of 1.4 assistive devices/amputee. Six patients required an assistive device before amputation. However, the majority (about 78% (N = 21)) did not need any of them substantially for independent locomotion. The number of needed assistive devices increased by 30 after amputation. Thus, 96% (N = 26 of 27) required an assistive device in addition to their prosthesis after their amputation. A total of 26 out of 27 patients received at least one further assistive device, and five amputees were dependent on two to four other assistive devices. Walkers and forearm crutches were the most common assistive devices used by patients within the survey, with eight each. Seven patients used a walking stick or used a wheelchair to ambulate safely.