Lengthening of below-the-knee amputation stumps using the Ilizarov technique

Patients with short, traumatic, below-the-knee amputations (BKAs) frequently function as if they have knee disarticulations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the results in patients who had lengthening of their BKA stumps to improved prosthesis fit and increase ambulation. Three patients with traumatic BKAs, who were left with insufficient stumps for proper prosthesis wear, have had their stumps lengthened by Ilizarov's technique of distraction osteogenesis. The lengthening process produced a moderate degree of pain, and all patients had a temporary decrease in their range of motion. Two patients lost a substantial amount of gained length secondary to early full weight-bearing. Despite these difficulties, the procedure produced longer, more durable stumps in all patients with no final loss of knee range of motion.