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Limb salvage after subtotal supramalleolar amputation by initial shortening followed by tibial lengthening
R K Marti1, J S de Vries, P Kloen
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, G4 Noord, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. orthopaedie@amc.uva.nl
Background:
We present a patient with a subtotal traumatic supramalleolar amputation of the leg, which was initially treated by a vascular reconstruction with deliberate bone and soft-tissue shortening.
Methods:
To correct the ensuing complex deformity, which consisted of a varus hindfoot, leg length discrepancy and equinus, a staged reconstruction was planned. Initially, the hindfoot varus, in presence of a stiff ankle, was corrected by a supramalleolar osteotomy, followed by a Wagner distraction and finally a correction of the equinus.
Results:
After a relatively long period of normal functioning, she regained painful minimal ankle function, which necessitated ankle fusion and correction of a pronation deformity. At the most recent follow-up 13 years after the injury, the patient is fully functional and has near normal leg length.
Conclusion:
Although a mangled lower extremity is often a candidate for primary amputation allowing early rehabilitation, in certain cases a good result can be obtained by a creative strategy.
