The value of stump split skin grafting following amputation for trauma in adult upper and lower limb amputees

One hundred and twenty adult patients were reviewed in whom split skin grafts were applied to the stump following traumatic amputation of the upper limb (44 amputees) or lower limb (76 amputees). The average follow-up period was seven and a half years after initial amputation. There was delay in prosthetic fitting in all patients. Approximately one third of patients complained of occasional minor ulceration, controlled by removing the prosthesis for a few days or modification of the prosthesis. Further revision surgery, including excision of the grafted skin often combined with proximal bone resection, but not removal of the proximal joint, was necessary in 29% of below-elbow amputees and approximately 50% of below and above-knee amputees. At the above-elbow level, use of skin grafts allowed prosthetic fitting because of preservation of sufficient length of the stump. Despite the fact that revision surgery may often be necessary, split skin grafting has a definite place in the early management of the stump following traumatic limb amputation in the adult. Preservation of stump length with the knee or elbow joint allows easier rehabilitation and lower energy expenditure when using the prosthesis. Partial foot amputation, when combined with skin grafting usually requires subsequent revision to a more proximal level to obtain a satisfactory result.     

Factors related to successful upper extremity prosthetic use

Surveys from 40 upper extremity amputees were analyzed to examine factors related to successful use of an upper extremity prosthesis. Factors which were associated with successful rehabilitation were fewer than two complicating factors, completion of high school education, employment at both the time of amputation and review, rapid return to work, acceptance of the amputation by the time of this review, and perception that the prosthesis was expensive. Factors which appeared unrelated to prosthetic success were age, loss of dominant hand, loss of elbow, marital status, use of rehabilitation services, use of a temporary prosthesis, and whether training in prosthetic use was provided. Many of these factors concurred with earlier studies. Previously unreported factors that may be of importance to the long-term success of upper limb amputees are the number of complicating factors and perceptions about the monetary value of the prosthesis.     

Therapeutic and Economic Impact of a Modern Amputation Program

The experience with 142 below-knee amputations for vascular occlusive disease and/or diabetes mellitus in 133 patients has been reviewed. The program utilized Xenon(133) skin bloodflow measurement for the selection of amputation level, emphasized the use of the long posterior skin flap as an important part of surgical technique, and employed immediate postoperative prosthesis with accelerated rehabilitation for postoperative management. The results of this program yielded a 0% postoperative mortality, 89% amputation healing, and 100% prosthesis rehabilitation of all unilateral below-knee amputees, and 93% rehabilitation of all bilateral below-knee amputees. The average time interval between amputation and fitting of a permanent prosthesis was 32 days. The use of Xenon(133) clearance as a measurement of capillary skin bloodflow for purposes of amputation level selection continues to be valid. All amputations with flows in excess of 2.6 ml/100 g tissue/min healed primarily, including the last 58 consecutive amputations. The total amputation of the 172 hospital V.A. system was surveyed and a cost analysis, based upon duration of postamputation hospitalization, comparing immediate postoperative prosthesis with conventional techniques, was performed. The savings to the system, taking into account start-up and maintenance costs for a program which employs immediate postoperative prosthesis, was projected to be $80,000,000 over five years. We conclude that a modern amputation program employing Xenon(133) clearance for amputation level selection and immediate postoperative prosthesis with accelerated rehabilitation is well justified based upon reduced morbidity, negligable mortality, and optimum patient prosthetic rehabilitation at a marked reduction in overall cost.     

Comparison of patient-reported outcomes after traumatic upper extremity amputation: Replantation versus prosthetic rehabilitation

BackgroundAfter major upper extremity traumatic amputation, replantation is attempted based upon the assumption that outcomes for a replanted limb exceed those for revision amputation with prosthetic rehabilitation. While some reports have examined functional differences between these patients, it is increasingly apparent that patient perceptions are also critical determinants of success. Currently, little patient-reported outcomes data exists to support surgical decision-making in the setting of major upper extremity traumatic amputation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to directly compare patient-reported outcomes after replantation versus prosthetic rehabilitation.MethodsAt three tertiary care centers, patients with a history of traumatic unilateral upper extremity amputation at or between the radiocarpal and elbow joints were identified. Patients who underwent either successful replantation or revision amputation with prosthetic rehabilitation were contacted. Patient-reported health status was evaluated with both DASH and MHQ instruments. Intergroup comparisons were performed for aggregate DASH score, aggregate MHQ score on the injured side, and each MHQ domain.ResultsNine patients with successful replantation and 22 amputees who underwent prosthetic rehabilitation were enrolled. Aggregate MHQ score for the affected extremity was significantly higher for the Replantation group compared to the Prosthetic Rehabilitation group (47.2 vs. 35.1, p < 0.05). Among the MHQ domains, significant advantages to replantation were demonstrated with respect to overall function (41.1 vs. 19.7, p = 0.03), ADLs (28.3 vs. 6.0, p = 0.03), and patient satisfaction (46.0 vs. 24.4, p = 0.03). Additionally, Replantation patients had a lower mean DASH score (24.6 vs. 39.8, p = 0.08).ConclusionsPatients in this study who experienced major upper extremity traumatic amputation reported more favorable patient-reported outcomes after successful replantation compared to revision amputation with prosthetic rehabilitation.     

Early Fitting of Artificial Limbs to Amputated Lower Limbs

Specific rehabilitation of patients with amputated lower limbs is first of all rehabilitation to walk with a prosthesis (artificial limb). After 20 years of practice of prosthetic early fitting for lower limbs amputees using practice prosthesis, the authors suggest that this technique is still up-to-date. The taking charge of amputated patients by a specialised team is an important element if one wants to achieve a good functional result. A rehabilitation milieu, where the new amputee is with a large number of patients with the same pathology, also constitutes a framework that is reassuring as well as stimulating and allows the patient to imagine the situation in which he/she can find himself/herself a few weeks later.     

Early fitting of artificial limbs to amputated lower limbs

Specific rehabilitation of patients with amputated lower limbs is first of all rehabilitation to walk with a prosthesis (artificial limb). After 20 years of practice of prosthetic early fitting for lower limbs amputees using practice prosthesis, the authors suggest that this technique is still up-to-date. The taking charge of amputated patients by a specialised team is an important element if one wants to achieve a good functional result. A rehabilitation milieu, where the new amputee is with a large number of patients with the same pathology, also constitutes a framework that is reassuring as well as stimulating and allows the patient to imagine the situation in which he/she can find himself/ herself a few weeks later.     

%VO2max as an indicator of prosthetic rehabilitation outcome after dysvascular amputation

In this study, independent ambulation of at least 100 metres with/without a cane was regarded as successful prosthetic rehabilitation. The subjects were classified into two groups according to this criterion at the time of discharge. The successful group attained this performance, the other group failed to reach this level. The successful group included 8 unilateral trans-femoral amputees aged 72.2 +/- 2.1 years who underwent amputation at more than 70 years, and succeeded in walking with a prosthesis. The group which failed included 9 unilateral trans-femoral amputees aged 63.2 +/- 2.1 years who underwent amputation between the ages of 60-65 years, and had great difficulty in walking with a prosthesis. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether or not %VO2max as an indicator of physical fitness is useful in predicting prosthetic rehabilitation outcome after dysvascular amputation by comparing these two groups. Evaluation of physical fitness was conducted before the subjects began prosthetic rehabilitation. Information about each subject before fitting with a prosthesis was collected retrospectively from clinical charts made during admission. The successful group were capable of strenuous exercise, reaching the intensity of 50% VO2max or more. In the group which failed only one reached the intensity of 50% VO2max. The working capacity of 50% VO2max or greater would appear to be a valid initial guideline level of physical fitness at which an amputee can expect to succeed in walking with a prosthesis. Apart from physical fitness, a lesser number of comorbidity, good ability to stand on the remaining leg, and a strong will to walk were found to be important factors contributing to successful prosthetic rehabilitation. This study also showed that age alone was not an important factor.     

Prosthetic usage following major lower extremity amputation

There were 157 patients following major lower extremity amputation who were evaluated to determine functional prosthetic ambulation. Twenty-eight patients were evaluated in the amputee clinic and found not to be candidates for prosthetic fitting. Forty-one patients were fit with a prosthesis but did not become functional prosthetic ambulators. Eighty-eight patients became functional prosthetic ambulators. Of all above-the-knee amputees, 46% became functional prosthetic ambulators. Only 19% of bilateral lower extremity amputees became functional prosthetic ambulators. Of all below-the-knee amputees, 66% became functional ambulators. The presence of coronary artery disease decreased the ambulatory potential in above-the-knee or bilateral amputees but not in below-the-knee amputees. A screening method for elderly, dysvascular amputees should be instituted prior to prosthetic fitting.     

A Swedish knee-cage for stabilizing short below-knee stumps.

Stump length is an important factor in attaining successful prosthetic rehabilitation in below-knee (BK) amputees. Stability of the stump-prosthesis complex is impaired in the case of a stump shorter than 10 cm. Thus, fitting a prosthesis to a BK amputee with a stump which is very short often requires the use of different prosthetic techniques. In this work, the authors suggest the use of a Swedish knee-cage attached to a conventional patellar-tendon-bearing prosthesis as an alternative solution in the case of a short BK stump. Objective evaluation was performed by an analysis of gait and the foot-ground reaction forces. The results obtained indicate an improvement in all the measured parameters resulting from the modified stump-prosthesis complex.     

A feasibility trial of a prefabricated immediate postoperative prosthetic limb system

In this feasibility trial, 32 consecutive patients undergoing transtibial or knee disarticulation amputation had application of a prefabricated immediate postoperative prosthesis in the operating room following lower extremity amputation. Partial weightbearing was initiated on the first postoperative day. Twenty-nine underwent primary amputation as a consequence of nonsalvageable gangrene or diabetic foot infection. Others were performed at the time of wound closure following traumatic amputation for a crushed extremity and one was performed for an infected nonunion of the tibia and fibula. Seventeen of the 29 patients with diabetes were insulin dependent. Nine patients required renal dialysis and were diagnosed with concurrent malnutrition. Twenty were male and 12 were female, with an average age of 61.6 (range, 42-90) years. The average time to custom prosthetic limb fitting was 8.1 (range, 4-16) weeks. This preliminary experience with a commercially available pneumatic immediate postoperative prosthetic limb system supports its role in the early rehabilitation of lower extremity amputees.     

Experience in prosthetic supply of patients with lower limb amputations in Croatia

This study analyses some demographic characteristics of the amputees in Croatia, reason and level of amputation, care the amputees receive, the first prosthetic supply and functional level after rehabilitation. Anonymised data on all amputees in the Clinical Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Aids in Zagreb (a national centre) were collected during the year 2000. Follow-up was undertaken for one year. As a result, the authors analysed 221 patients, classified into 3 groups according to the level of amputations: trans-tibial, except foot (TT), trans-femoral (TF) and bilateral amputations (bilateral). Among the population there were: 76% men and 24% women with average age of about 62 years (the average age of women was 8 years more than men). The most common diseases that resulted in amputation were: diabetes mellitus (DM) 48.9%; obstructive vascular diseases (OD): occlusive peripheral arterial disease, Buerger's disease and atherosclerosis 27.1%; trauma 11.3%; both OD and DM 7.2%; osteomyelitis (OM) 3.2% and tumours (TM) 2.3%. Average period from the amputation to admission for prosthetic supply was over 190 days but the average period from admission to discharge from the Institute was about 40 days. Prosthetic supply was accompanied by certain complications: flexion contractures of neighbouring joints, knee 37.9% and hip 35.2%; local complications of soft tissues: necrosis, wound dehiscence, soft tissue surplus, ischaemic tissue damage (the most frequent in TT amputation 35.9%) and phantom pain (55.7% of patients). Hours of daily use of the prosthesis at discharge was about 5 hours. Greater independence in fitting and removing the prosthesis was observed in patients with TT amputation (86.4%). In conclusion, it can be said that the time between the amputation and the beginning of the prosthetic supply, mobility at the time of admission, frequency of general and local complications and number of days in prosthetic supply, are very important for the result of rehabilitation.     

Prosthetic use and functional and social outcome following major lower limb amputation

A total of 175 consecutive below and above-knee amputees sent to the prosthetic workshop in Helsinki for prosthetic fitting from 32 hospitals were reviewed to determine their functional ambulation and social adaptation. The average age of the patients was 62.2 years at the time of the prosthetic fitting. The mortality was 11% (19) during the first postoperative year. One-year postoperative information was obtained for 141 of the surviving patients (90%) by personal contact. At the time of the review, 68% of the amputees (96 patients) who had been fitted with a prosthesis made extensive and regular use of it. Half of all the above-knee amputees and 79% of the below-knee amputees used their prosthesis throughout the day or over seven hours a day. A total of 72% of the above-knee amputees (33/46) and 85% of the below-knee amputees (67/79) had useful ambulation, at least indoors. Of the 141 patients contacted, 124 (88%) lived in their own homes. The remaining 16 patients (11%) lived in apartment houses for the aged or old people's homes. A total of 48 amputees (34%) needed a regular home help.     

Primary survival and prosthetic fitting of lower limb amputees

During the period 1984-1985 amputation of the lower limb at a level potentially requiring a prosthesis was performed on 577 patients in 16 operative units. The mean age was 75.7 years for females and 68.1 for males. The most common site of the amputation was above the knee (49.9%). The majority of amputations (93.8%) were performed for vascular diseases and diabetes. Survival figures showed that 25.5% of amputees died within 2 months of amputation, 60.7% were alive after one year and 43.2% after two years. Out of a total of 577 patients, 26.9% were fitted with a prosthesis. Out of below-knee and above-knee amputees surviving over 2 months, 61.5% and 27.2% respectively were fitted with a prosthesis. There were markedly fewer prosthetic fittings in the over-60 age group. Diabetic patients of both sexes were fitted with a prosthesis more often than arterio-sclerotic patients. Among tumour patients 82.4% received a prosthesis. In the study area more emphasis must be put on the concept of preserving the knee joint and preoperative assessment of vascular patients for selection of amputation level. Every effort must be made to avoid delay in the postoperative mobilization and rehabilitation. Prosthetic fitting of amputees could be improved by better liaison between surgical unit and specialized rehabilitation unit and by closer team approach of amputee care.     

Temporary prosthetic fitting for below-knee amputation

The problems encountered in fitting and using the permanent below-knee prosthesis in developing countries are the high price of the prosthesis, inadequate fitting and lack of proper rehabilitation. In Turkey, the preferred treatment of the stump post-operatively is by the soft dressing method with bandaging for maturation and shrinkage. Generally, the application of the permanent prosthesis is in the sixth month post-operatively. Since in patellar-tendon-bearing (PTB) sockets, stumps have to withstand high pressures in limited areas, the PTB socket can only tolerate small volume changes in the stump. For this reason bandaging over a long period may be insufficient for adequate stump shrinkage and amputees will need another below-knee prosthesis, which most of them cannot afford after only a few weeks use. In the authors' clinic, 19 amputees were fitted with simple, effective and inexpensive temporary prostheses following either conventional immediate post-operative dressing or the soft dressing method. The temporary prosthesis is worn for two months. It produces fast stump shrinkage, helps maturation and permits ambulatory discharge even in bilateral amputees. For economical reasons, only eight of nineteen patients were fitted with permanent prostheses, all wearing them successfully without the necessity of further rehabilitation.     

Pediatric unilateral below-elbow amputees: retrospective analysis of 34 patients given multiple prosthetic options

Thirty-four unilateral below-elbow amputees from the Shriners Hospitals for Children/Twin Cities were retrospectively analyzed in long-term follow-up. All of these patients were provided with a variety of prosthetic options, including a "passive" cosmetic upper extremity device. Most of the patients were also fitted with conventional prostheses using a body-powered voluntary closing terminal device (97%) as well as myoelectric prostheses (82%). These patients were considered consistent prosthetic users by the clinic team. The average follow-up was 14 years, with many of the patients being followed up throughout their entire childhood. All patients were sent questionnaires, and the authors carried out patient interviews and chart review. Final analysis indicated that 15 patients (44%) selected a simple cosmetic "passive hand" as their prosthesis of choice. In long-term follow-up 14 patients (41%) continued as multiple users. Fourteen patients (41%) selected the conventional prosthesis using a voluntary closing terminal device as the prosthesis of choice. Only five patients (15%) selected the myoelectric device as their primary prosthesis. The authors conclude that successful unilateral pediatric amputees may choose multiple prostheses on the basis of function and that frequently the most functional prosthesis selected in the long term is the simplest in design. The authors believe strongly that unilateral pediatric amputees should be offered a variety of prosthetic options to help with normal activities of daily living.     

Psychologic testing in amputation rehabilitation

Sixty adult patients had psychologic testing following successful below- or above-knee amputation surgery. All were considered to be prosthetic candidates based on the evaluation of an experienced multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Objective psychologic testing revealed that six (10%) had severe deficits in cognitive ability, eight (13%) had covert psychiatric illness, and three (5%) had both. A vigorous attempt at prosthetic limb fitting and gait training was made in every patient in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. Of the 17 patients (28%) who were determined to be poor candidates for prosthetic limb fitting and gait training based on objective psychologic testing, only four (6%) were capable of even minimal use of the prosthesis, and none approached their preamputation level of ambulation. Psychologic testing may play an important role in determining the rehabilitation potential of the dysvascular amputee.     

Temporary above-knee prostheses and training programme during chemotherapy

A temporary prosthesis has been developed for above-knee amputees who receive long-term post-amputation chemotherapy. The temporary prosthesis has an adjustable laminated quadrilateral socket, the size of which is adjusted by metal screws. Fifteen patients were fitted with the temporary prosthesis. Initial fittings were carried out after a period averaging 46 days from amputation. All of the patients were able to walk with one crutch after about one month from initial fitting. Although patients often had to discontinue their prosthetic training owing to chemotherapy, they could resume wearing their prostheses simply by adjusting the socket. One patient, who was fitted with a cosmetic ultra-light prosthesis initially due to her poor general condition, was later fitted with the temporary prosthesis. She regained the ability to walk 60 days later and still wears it. Early fitting of temporary prostheses for these patients is not only of practical convenience but also improves their mental state.     

Prosthesis with electric elbow and hand for a three-year-old multiply handicapped child

The usefulness of wisely prescribed powered components in the rehabilitation of upper extremity amputees has long been recognized (Schmidl, 1973). Their value is especially evident in the prosthetic rehabilitation of high level adult and child amputees (Heger et al, 1985). In recent years, manufacturers of prosthetic hardware have provided practitioners with a wide selection of either myo-electrically or switch controlled electromechanical components and systems. As a rule, however, most commercially available components are designed to serve the adult amputee and do not lend themselves for use in the prosthetic rehabilitation of children. One current exception is the availability of child-size electric hands. The availability of the world's first child-size electric hand in 1970 at the Ontario Crippled Children's Centre later known as the Variety Village 105 hand, gave tremendous impetus to the fitting of younger children with externally powered components and myoelectric control systems. However, this trend served to benefit the young below-elbow patient only (Sorbye et al, 1972). The successful fitting of higher amputation levels in this age group stopped at the elbow level. Existing artificial elbows such as the Variety Village and Hosmer elbow with their necessary powerpacks are simply too bulky and too heavy for pre-school age children. The need for a lightweight compact electric elbow, suitable for 3-8 year old children, still has not been addressed. This single case report illustrates an innovative and successful conversion of a 6-3/4 Otto Bock hand into a small electric elbow. The idea was first proposed by Schmidl (1973).     

Selection of level for lower limb amputation

Selection of level of lower limb amputation following trauma or in dysvascular patients must be based on experience, and a broad knowledge of the early and late problems following amputation and prosthetic fitting. Successful wound healing is important to achieve, so that the patient can be soon fitted with a prosthesis, and become involved in a rehabilitation program with the emphasis on early return to work and/or the home environment. It is helpful if the surgeon concerned has some knowledge of the advantages and limitations of prosthetic use at the various levels in the lower limb - too much information in the past has been relayed by word of mouth or repeated ad nauseam in orthopaedic textbooks. After trauma, it is usually a young male patient who must cope with limited function, loss of body image, difficult relationships with friends and loved ones leading to changes in their pattern of life and future plans.The dysvascular patient, however, is running ‘out of time’. Stewart²¹ reported a mean survival in peripheral vascular disease patients of only four years plus two months, when compared to the diabetic dysvascular patients of only three years plus eight months, after the amputation. If a patient survives for more than three years, there is a high chance that the other limb will be lost during that period. Young diabetic patients without peripheral vascular disease present with significant problems from peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthropathy of the foot and ankle, retinal damage and kidney problems often requiring long-term dialysis. These patients have limited life expectancy and selection of the level of amputation must take into consideration the necessity for early prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation.Diabetic patients with absent foot pulses should not be treated any differently from non-diabetics when the level of amputation is being considered. Similarly, elderly patients with athero sclerosis should be assumed to be diabetic, and this assumption should be verified by appropriate biochemical tests. Both groups should be intensively investigated in the hope that angioplasty or by-pass procedures may prolong limb survival if only for a limited period. There have been suggestions that the level of amputation and need for revision in dysvascular patients may be affected adversely by prior attempts at revascularization, but other studies fail to support this claim.^22,23Unfortunately, one must be both realistic and pessimistic about prosthetic fitting and use, especially in trans-femoral amputees. In a recent publication,²⁴ the authors conclude that only 10% to 15% of dysvascular amputees achieved mobility around the home on their prosthesis, and only 5% rehabilitate well independent of their wheelchair. They emphasize that when amputation is inevitable, more consideration should be given to surgery that optimizes wheelchair rehabilitation. These findings must make a surgeon responsible for performing the amputation continually aware of the importance of preserving the knee joint in the elderly dysvascular patient.     

The upper-extremity amputee. Early and immediate post-surgical prosthetic fitting.

The results of immediate and early post-surgical prosthetic fitting in eighty-seven upper-extremity amputees as well as the results in nine patients with shoulder dislocation who were fitted with temporary devices were reviewed. No local wound complications occurred and the rate of prosthetic acceptance was high. A practice prosthesis, with a filler insert formed from liquid Silastic foam allowed to set between the walls of the practice prosthesis and the amputation stump, was used extensively in this series. With the Silastic insert and practice prosthesis, prosthetic training could be instituted during healing of the amputation wounds, proximal wounds, or fractures.