Case Report: Total Knee Arthroplasty in Ipsilateral Below-Knee Amputee

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for knee osteoarthritis.
• Below-knee amputation (BKA) is performed for lower-limb pathologies.
• Performing TKA on a patient with an ipsilateral BKA is rare but feasible.

Observation:

• A patient with a history of osteoarthritis and diabetic neuropathy underwent a right BKA due to thermal burns.
• The patient, previously scheduled for TKA, proceeded with the surgery after BKA and prosthesis use.
• Independent ambulation was regained post-BKA, but knee osteoarthritis symptoms persisted.

Findings:

• The patient successfully underwent an ipsilateral TKA following a BKA.
• Positioning, alignment, and component placement were managed effectively using specialized techniques and fluoroscopy.
• The patient tolerated the surgery well, with no complications reported.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates that ipsilateral amputation is not a contraindication for TKA.
• Careful pre-operative planning is crucial for successful TKA in BKA patients.
• Successful TKA can significantly improve functional outcomes and mobility in patients with prior amputation.