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Total knee arthroplasty in a below-knee amputee.
John R Crawford1, Nigel Coleman
1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk, UK.
The Journal of Arthroplasty
|August 23, 2003
Summary
Total knee replacement in a below-knee amputee with severe knee osteoarthritis can be successful. This innovative approach improved patient mobility and pain, offering an alternative to further amputation or joint fusion.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Osteoarthritis significantly impacts quality of life, especially in amputees.
- Traditional management for severe knee osteoarthritis in below-knee amputees includes arthrodesis or above-knee amputation.
Observation:
- A 75-year-old female with a below-knee amputation developed progressive knee osteoarthritis in the ipsilateral limb.
- The patient underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on the knee of the amputated limb.
Findings:
- The patient achieved successful mobilization post-TKA and remained pain-free at 8 months.
- Knee Society score improved from 53 to 85; function score increased from 0 to 40.
- Modified TKA technique and rehabilitation protocols were employed.
Implications:
- Total knee replacement is a viable alternative to arthrodesis or higher-level amputation for select below-knee amputees.
- This case highlights the potential for limb salvage and functional restoration in complex orthopedic scenarios.