Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What is a major complication often occurring in patients with a lower extremity amputation?

1. Hip flexion contracture

2. Phantom limb sensation

3. Wound infection

4. Deep vein thrombosis

The correct answer is: Hip flexion contracture

The major complication that often occurs in patients with a lower extremity amputation is hip flexion contracture. This condition arises due to prolonged positioning in a flexed position, which can occur post-surgery and during rehabilitation. When a patient has an amputation, there is a risk of developing tightness in the hip flexor muscles, leading to a contracture that limits the ability to fully extend the hip. This complication can severely impact a patient's mobility and ability to use prosthetics effectively. In patients who undergo a lower extremity amputation, maintaining proper positioning and actively engaging in rehabilitation exercises are critical in preventing this and ensuring improved functional outcomes. Although other complications like phantom limb sensation, wound infection, and deep vein thrombosis can also occur in this patient population, hip flexion contracture is particularly prevalent and directly related to the surgical and recovery process associated with lower limb amputations.