Volume changes occurring in postoperative below-knee residual limbs

Comparative maturation rates of 36 below-knee postoperative, healed amputation residual limbs were observed. Measured were the limb volumes and circumferences. Three methods of residual limb stabilization were employed: 1) elastic wrap; 2) plaster cast and pylon; and, 3) plastic laminate socket and pylon. The limbs receiving the plastic laminate showed the most rapid stabilization, while the elastic wrap did not stabilize. Considerable variance existed in relations between variables. Correlation between limb circumference and volume was poor. However, in general, the rates of change, i.e., the relations between volume and time, and circumference and time, were statistically significant (p less than .05).     

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump in below-knee amputees.

OBJECTIVE: To document the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump in two patients with below-knee amputation. DESIGN: A retrospective survey emphasising two clinical case reports. SETTING: Department of orthopaedic rehabilitation at a teaching rehabilitation hospital. PATIENTS: Lower limb amputees (n = 164) were accepted for prosthetic rehabilitation. Twenty-one amputees were regarded as rehabilitation failures; in two below-knee amputees intractable pain was the major problem. RESULTS: Clinical manifestations, radiological, and scintigraphic findings in the two amputees with intractable pain met the criteria for diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump should be suspected in below-knee amputees whenever severe pain persists over a period of 3 to 4 months following amputation.     

Outcome of early fitting by silicone liner with lock system for dysvascular below-knee amputation: assessment of walking abilities by a specific questionnaire]

PURPOSE: To assess by a specific questionnaire the functional outcome of patients with below-the-knee amputation after early prosthetic fitting by the ICEROSS silicone liner, which had demonstrated improvement of stump healing and length of hospital stay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, walking ability was assessed by a specific score resulting from answers on a questionnaire. The outcome variables were walking inside and outside, transfer from sitting, climbing stairs, and use of walking aids. Following amputation, the ICEROSS system was used for compression therapy, then for temporary prosthesis. The questionnaire was administered at the fitting stabilized state. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 51 patients who underwent trans-tibial amputation were included: 5 women (mean age 72.8+/-4.1 years) and 24 men (mean age: 69+/-7.4 years). The mean total score was 14.5/20 (good functional outcome) for the 22 unilateral amputees and 7.2/20 (intermediate result) for the seven bilateral amputees. Previous studies concerning functional outcome with other contact casts (without a silicon liner with a bolt) had shown similar results. CONCLUSION: Despite its beneficial initial effect, early fitting by the ICEROSS system did not improve walking ability at the steady functional state, which is more linked to advanced age and comorbidities.     

Porous removable rigid dressing for complicated below-knee amputation stumps

For management of complicated below-knee amputation stumps, a porous removable rigid dressing has been fabricated that can be suspended with a supracondylar cuff or with a waist belt. In addition to permitting frequent observation, eliminating the need for elastic stump bandaging, and maintaining the advantage of the conventional rigid dressing of soft-tissue immobilization to reduce the pain and prevent trauma to the stump, the porous removable rigid dressing facilitates edema reduction and wound healing, prevents moisture building, permits frequent change of dressings and promotes fast stump shrinkage.     

Rehabilitation Outcome in Patients With Lower Limb Amputations Because of Arterial Occlusive Disease: Is it Worth Trying for the Lowest Possible Amputation Level? A Prospective Study

A policy of maximizing the ratio of below-knee to above-knee amputations in patients with severe nonsalvageable limb ischemia is followed. The value of this policy is examined. All the patients that were amputated in our department between 1995 and 1997 were followed up for 2 years after the operation. We correlated the amputation level with 6 different parameters: primary or secondary amputation, perioperative mortality, 2-years mortality, amputation stump healing, artificial limb fitment, and rehabilitation outcome. The results were analyzed statistically. A total of 64 patients were included in the study. The revision rate was 38% in below-knee amputees and 4% in above-knee amputees. The perioperative mortality was 22%. Two years after operation, the limb fitment rate in below-knee amputees was 95% and in above-knee amputees was 64%. The overall artificial limb fitment rate was 50%. A total of 47.6% of the living patients were capable to walk out of their house. Artificial limb fitment and rehabilitation status are greater after a below-knee than an above-knee amputation. Although the morbidity may be higher in below knee procedures, it is worth trying for the lowest level of amputation because of the better rehabilitation results in these patients.     

小腿假肢接受腔-残肢生物机械系统三维重构

目的：建立小腿假肢接受腔-残肢生物机械系统三维几何模型。方法：以一名25岁男性小腿截肢患者为对象，采用三维坐标测量和核磁共振成像获得原始数据，利用软件MIMICS、SURFACER、SOLIDWORKS等实现了接受腔和残肢的三维重构．并根据接受腔修型模式等完成了系统装配。结果：数字化三维模型较精确的反映了接受腔-残肢系统的几何特征。结论：这种低成本方法可用于假肢数字化设计、有限元分析和计算机辅助制造。     

Prosthetic use in patients with burns and associated limb amputations

A review of 11 patients who sustained burns that were complicated by limb amputation was completed to determine their eventual ability to use prosthesis. Amputations included six below-elbow, four above-elbow, three below-knee, and three above-knee amputations. Ten of the 11 patients (91%) had open wounds on the stump limbs and nine patients (82%) required skin grafting procedures on the amputated limbs. Delays in prosthetic fitting because of continued surgeries, open wounds, skin grafts on the stump limb, and breakdown of the stump were identified. However, eight of these patients (73%) were eventually able to wear prosthetic devices. Fisher's exact test was used to test the influence of the number and site of the amputations and skin grafting on the stump on successful prosthesis use. None of these tested items were found to be significant. The results demonstrate that most patients with burns who require limb amputation can achieve successful prosthesis use.     

Stump/socket pressure profiles of the pressure cast prosthetic socket

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate stump/socket interface pressure in amputees wearing a socket developed by a pressure casting system.Design. Five unilateral transtibial amputees wore a pressure cast socket and walked at a self-selected speed. BACKGROUND: The socket produces equally distributed pressure at the stump/socket interface, deviating from the conventional belief that pressure varies in proportion to the pain threshold of different tissues in the stump. METHODS: The socket was fabricated while the subject placed his stump in a pressure chamber. Pressure was applied while he adopted a normal standing position. A specially built strain gauged type pressure transducer was used for measuring pressure distribution. Pressure and gait parameters were measured simultaneously while the subjects were standing and walking. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pressure cast technique was able to provide comfortable fitting sockets. A hydrostatic pressure profile was not evident during standing or gait. Results also showed that no standard pressure profile for the pressure cast socket was observed. This was expected as no rectifications were done on the pressure cast socket. Pressure profiles at 10%, 25% and 50% of gait cycle did not correlate with the pressure profiles previously proposed. RELEVANCE: The hydrostatic theory is an attractive concept in socket design as it produces a stump/socket pressure profile that is evenly distributed. Furthermore, it is a method that is easily implemented, independent of a prosthetist's skill and experience and reduces manufacturing time. However, there is still controversy surrounding the efficacy of this hydrostatic theory.     

Healing times of pedal ulcers in diabetic immunosuppressed patients after transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the healing time of neuropathic plantar ulcers treated by total-contact casting (TCC) in diabetic, immunosuppressed patients after organ transplantation with the healing time of plantar ulcers in control nonimmunosuppressed patients. DESIGN: A case-control design with the control group matched for age, race, sex, body dimensions (height, weight, and body mass index), presence of sensory neuropathy, foot deformity presence and location, and pedal ulcer area and depth. SETTING: An outpatient physical therapy clinic in a regional tertiary-care hospital and academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with chronic diabetes mellitus and a previous organ transplantation who were currently receiving lifelong immunosuppressive drug therapy were treated for a neuropathic plantar ulcer by means of TCC. Fourteen group-matched control subjects with diabetes mellitus and a plantar ulcer but who had never had an organ transplantation and were not taking immunosuppressive agents were also studied. INTERVENTIONS: TCC with partial weight-bearing using an assistive device until ulcers healed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Healing time was defined as the number of days in the total-contact cast until the skin completely closed. RESULTS: All diabetic foot ulcers healed with casting. Immunosuppressed/transplanted patients healed in a mean time of 111 +/- 25 days; ulcers of control subjects healed in 47 +/- 18 days (p < .05). All patients returned to ambulation using prescribed therapeutic footwear. None of the patients required a lower extremity amputation throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: TCC is a highly effective and rapid method of healing neuropathic pedal ulcers in diabetic immunosuppressed/transplantation patients, although it may take several weeks longer than it would for patients who were not immunocompromised.     

Analysis of a below-knee patellar tendon-bearing prosthesis: a finite element study

In this study, a finite element (FE) model of a below-knee prosthesis of patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) design, and several altered variations of the model have been constructed. A load of approximately 1.5 times normal body weight (984 N) was applied at the heel of the model to simulate heelstrike conditions. The "base" model was then analyzed and revised iteratively until a model which provided consistency between soft tissue elastic modulus and socket displacement was developed. The interface normal and shear stresses obtained from the analysis of this revised base model were highest (about 961, and 463 KPa, respectively) at the distal anterior tip of the socket/stump. Proximally, higher normal stresses (72-78 KPa) were found medially and posteriorly. Proximal shear stresses were highest posteriorly (79 KPa), although shear stresses medially (51 KPa), and laterally (43 KPa), were also much higher than anteriorly (10 KPa). FE analyses were performed on the altered models to determine the relative effects on socket/stump interface stresses of altering the FE model of the prosthesis. Results of the analysis indicate that fabricating the prosthesis from a material with an elastic modulus ten times lower than that of the revised base model can produce reductions in the maximum pressure of up to 14 percent. Large decreases in maximum pressures (71 percent) resulted from the use of a suction socket rather than a conventional socket. Small changes in stump length (2 cm) caused relatively large pressure changes (16 to 18 percent).     

Revascularization surgery: impact on lower extremity amputations

The effect of revascularization surgery on the amputee population of 2 hospitals (VA and private) was studied in 2 time periods a decade apart--1969-70 and 1979-80. In the VA hospital there was a trend toward below-knee surgery over time; however, for patients who had prior vascular reconstruction and who ultimately came to amputation there was no change in the proportion of below-knee to above-knee surgery at either hospital. At the private hospital the average age of patients who underwent amputation increased significantly and the proportion of patients requiring amputation to the total number of patients undergoing vascular reconstruction significantly decreased in the later time period.     

Nonremovable, windowed, fiberglass cast boot in the treatment of diabetic plantar ulcers: efficacy, safety, and compliance

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, safety, and compliance of a nonremovable fiberglass cast boot and off-loading shoes in the treatment of diabetic plantar ulcers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients (n = 93) with noninfected, nonischemic plantar ulcers were included in this prospective nonrandomized study. Treatment used a nonremovable fiberglass cast boot for longer standing and deeper ulcers (n = 42) and a half shoe or heel-relief shoe for other ulcers (n = 51). We evaluated off-loading therapy, compliance, and complications in both groups. RESULTS: The healing rate was significantly higher with the cast boot than with the off-loading shoe (81 vs. 70%, P = 0.017), with healing times of 68.6 +/- 35.1 vs. 134.2 +/- 133.0 days, respectively, and hazard ratio 1.68 (95% CI 1.04-2.70); complete compliance with treatment was 98 vs. 10% (P = 0.001), respectively. Secondary osteomyelitis developed in 3 patients in the cast boot group and 13 patients in the off-loading shoe group (P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: A nonremovable fiberglass cast boot was effective in healing diabetic plantar ulcers and in decreasing the risk of secondary osteomyelitis. The cast boot forced compliance with off-loading, thus promoting healing.     

Effects of skin grafting on successful prosthetic use in children with lower extremity amputation

The use of skin grafts after lower extremity amputation in pediatric patients remains a controversial decision. A skin graft may help to preserve residual limb length and knee joint function; however, the literature suggests that it may make the patient more susceptible to complications. Directly contrasting children with and without skin grafts on their residual limbs will provide important data for the clinician making this decision. This study compares amputation characteristics, complications, and functional outcomes of these two populations. A retrospective chart analysis was performed on 45 pediatric patients who underwent lower extremity amputation between 1997 and 2006. Patients were divided into two groups: the graft group had skin grafts on their residual lower extremity limb(s) and the no graft group had no skin grafts present on the residual lower extremity limb(s). The mean time from amputation to follow-up was 4.5 years in the graft group and 7.0 years in the no graft group (P = .07). The average age at amputation for the graft group was 9.4 +/- 1.4 years and 5.9 +/- 1.1 years for the no graft group (P = .04). The graft group had a significantly longer hospital stay with 91 inpatient days vs 31 inpatient days in the no graft group (P = .03). There was no increased incidence of surgical revisions or reported problems with prosthetic wear in the graft group. Both groups achieved comparable levels of independence with ambulation. The presence of skin grafts on a child's amputated limb does not adversely affect functional outcome and does not lead to greater prosthetic complications for the child.     

Effectiveness and safety of a nonremovable fiberglass off-bearing cast versus a therapeutic shoe in the treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the rate of reduction of the surface area of neuropathic plantar ulcers in diabetic patients treated with nonremovable rigidity-differentiated fiberglass off-bearing casts or a cloth shoe with a rigid sole with unloading alkaform insoles. The secondary aim was to evaluate the side effects and degree of patient acceptance of treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifty diabetic patients with neuropathic plantar ulcers were consecutively enrolled and randomized to one of two treatment groups. Of the 50 patients, 24 were treated with a specialized cloth shoe with a rigid sole and an unloading alkaform insole (shoe group), and 26 patients were treated with a nonremovable off-bearing fiberglass cast (cast group). All patients in both study groups returned to the clinic for weekly control visits. Their ulcers were treated with a standard dressing. Tracings of the ulcer area using a transparent dressing were performed on the day of entry to the study and after 30 days of treatment. The presence of new ulcerations caused by the use of the pressure-relief apparatus was recorded. Patient acceptance of the treatment was measured using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, an 8.3% increase of the ulcer area was observed in two patients in the shoe group, whereas in the cast group, no patient presented an increase. The reduction of the ulcer area was statistically more rapid in the cast group (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.0004). Furthermore, the number of ulcers completely healed at the 30-day time point was 13 (50%) in the cast group and 5 (20.8%) in the shoe group (P = 0.03). In both groups, no side effects were recorded. The average score +/- SD of patient acceptance was 91.15 +/- 9.9 in the shoe group and 88.33 +/- 17.3 (NS) in the cast group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown a significant difference in the speed of the reduction of neuropathic plantar ulcers treated with a fiberglass cast compared with a specialized cloth shoe. The use of fiberglass material with variable rigidity has also shown two important results: the elimination of side effects including ulcers caused by the cast, and high patient acceptance. These data show that the use of off-bearing casts made with fiberglass bandages of variable rigidity is the elective treatment of neuropathic plantar ulcers.     

Evaluation of removable and irremovable cast walkers in the healing of diabetic foot wounds: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a removable cast walker (RCW) and an "instant" total contact cast (iTCC) in healing neuropathic diabetic foot ulcerations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 50 patients with University of Texas grade 1A diabetic foot ulcerations into one of two off-loading treatment groups: an RCW or the same RCW wrapped with a cohesive bandage (iTCC) so patients could not easily remove the device. Subjects were evaluated weekly for 12 weeks or until wound healing. RESULTS: An intent-to-treat analysis showed that a higher proportion of patients had ulcers that were healed at 12 weeks in the iTCC group than in the RCW group (82.6 vs. 51.9%, P = 0.02, odds ratio 1.8 [95% CI 1.1-2.9]). Of the patients with ulcers that healed, those treated with an iTCC healed significantly sooner (41.6 +/- 18.7 vs. 58.0 +/- 15.2 days, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Modification of a standard RCW to increase patient adherence to pressure off-loading may increase both the proportion of ulcers that heal and the rate of healing of diabetic neuropathic wounds.     

Osteocutaneous pedicle flap of the foot for salvage of below-knee amputation level after burn injury

Lower extremity amputations are occasionally required after high-voltage electric and deep thermal burns. The extensive loss of skin and soft tissue after these injuries may make it difficult to fashion below-knee amputation that will readily tolerate a prosthesis. We have found an osteocutaneous pedicle fillet flap of the foot useful in the salvage of below-knee amputation after severe burn injury. Three patients have undergone this procedure after burn injury, 1 with burn secondary to high-voltage electric injury and 2 after deep thermal burns. All became ambulatory with artificial prostheses. There were no postoperative infections and no need for further revisions. The osteocutaneous pedicle fillet flap of the foot has proven to be a reliable form of below-knee stump coverage in patients with extensive soft tissue necrosis after burn injury.     

早期康复训练对胫骨平台骨折膝关节功能恢复的影响

目的:探讨早期康复训练对胫骨平台骨折膝关节功能恢复的影响。方法:将我院采用内固定治疗的120例胫骨平台骨折患者随机分为观察组和对照组各60例,对照组采用常规护理,观察组在对照组基础上进行早期康复训练,比较两组患者骨折愈合时间、石膏固定时间、住院时间及膝关节功能恢复情况。结果:观察组患者骨折愈合时间、石膏固定时间、住院时间均明显少于对照组(P<0.05);随访10～24个月,观察组患者膝关节功能评分优良率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:早期康复训练能明显加快胫骨平台骨折患者愈合,缩短住院时间,促进患者膝关节功能恢复。     

Muscles of the below-knee amputees]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to review anatomical, histological and physiological muscle changes following below-knee amputation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PubMed and Reedoc databases for studies evaluating modifications of the below-knee stump and changes over time in its anatomy, volume and histology. We also looked at postamputation modifications in gait and balance. RESULTS: Below-knee amputees show muscular atrophy on both the amputated side and nonamputated side, with fewer and smaller muscle fibres (particularly slow-twitch fibres). This amyotrophy varies in magnitude and distribution and can reach about 25% for the quadriceps (predominantly on the medial side), but is nonsignificant for the hamstrings. This amyotrophy results from the anatomical consequences of the surgical act. The loss of one or more of a muscle's insertions or reimplantation into a nonphysiological site prompts greater atrophy. Changes in muscle activation patterns also lead to atrophy. The hamstrings replace the triceps as the main muscles for propulsion and the remaining stump muscles contract so as to ensure a good fit with the prosthesis. The below-knee amputee must adapt to a new muscular state: gait symmetry is altered, energy expenditure for walking is higher and training is needed in order to achieve optimal balance control.     

Interruptions to amputee rehabilitation

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of interruptions to inpatient amputee rehabilitation, and to identify the causes, risk factors, and consequences of these interruptions. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Inpatient amputee rehabilitation service. PATIENTS: A total of 254 consecutive patients admitted within 90 days of amputation. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient age, gender, comorbid medical conditions, amputation type(s), days from amputation to admission, admission Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), whether a prosthesis was fabricated, discharge destination, discharge Houghton Scale score, discharge 2-minute walk test, and discharge SF-36 score. RESULTS: Interruptions occurred in 76 patients (30%). Impaired stump healing caused 46 (18%) interruptions and acute medical illness caused 26 (10%); 4 (2%) interruptions were because of other causes. Higher incidence of interruption was associated with female gender, peripheral vascular disease, and decreased days from amputation to rehabilitation. The majority of patients with interruptions (60/76, 79%) returned to complete rehabilitation. Patients with interruptions had significantly longer rehabilitation LOS (48.5 vs 37.0d, P<.001), but functional outcome measures at rehabilitation discharge were similar between those patients who returned to complete rehabilitation after interruption and those patients without interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Interruptions to amputee rehabilitation are common and result in longer rehabilitation LOS but do not adversely affect rehabilitation outcomes in those who are able to return to complete rehabilitation. No subgroup of patients with exceptionally high incidence of interruption could be identified.     

小腿截肢残端假体的实验研究

目的：利用残端假体增加下肢截肢后骨残端的横截面积，降低负重时截肢残端皮肤单位面积上的压强，减少由于穿戴假肢所引起的并发症。重建离断肌肉的下位附着点，使之保持肌肉的合适初长和原有肌力，并维持肌力平衡，防止关节挛缩畸形，以保持截肢平面上位关节的正常活动，提高截肢肢体穿戴假肢后的功能。方法：山羊10只，随机分为2组，左小腿膝下截肢后，分为对照组和假体放置组。假体采用超高分子聚乙烯材料制成，呈蘑菇状外观。术后穿戴假肢开始负重。观察站立和行走的时间，残端皮肤情况，并进行骨残端组织学检查。结果：假体放置组羊能在截肢术后较早穿戴假肢，负重站立和行走，无残端皮肤溃疡。假体与残端骨接合紧密，肌腱与假体连接良好，坚固。未发现任何假体放置后的不良反应和并发症。结论：截肢后骨残端安放假体能明显增加骨残端横截面积，很好保持残肢末端的圆锥形，加之假体材料的缓冲作用，明显减少截肢骨残端与假肢接受腔间软组织单位面积上的压强，使之能较早安装假肢，减少穿戴假肢所引起的并发症。增加假肢穿戴后的肢体功能。