Multisite pain is related to performance-based function after lower-limb loss: a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data

Following lower-limb loss (LLL), more than 50% of adults report multisite pain, that is, pain in two or more distinct sites, which is associated with self-reported activity restriction and higher fall risk. This study examined relationships between multisite pain and performance-based mobility among adults with LLL. During an outpatient Limb Loss Clinic, participants completed the timed up and go, the 10-m walk test, and the 6-min walk test. Linear regression modeling (P ≤ 0.0125) evaluated relationships between multisite pain and performance-based measures, considering covariates (e.g. age, sex, amputation level, and time since amputation). Of 112 adults greater than or equal to 6 months after LLL (55.2 ± 13.8 years; 77.7% male), 55.4% had multisite pain. Individuals with multisite pain had slower self-selected (b = -0.126, P = 0.010) and fast (b = -0.172, P = 0.012) gait speeds and shorter 6-min walk test distances (b = -60.87, P = 0.010). Beyond covariates, multisite pain explained 4.2-5.0% of the variance in performance-based measures. Multisite pain should be considered when evaluating performance-based mobility following LLL.