Popliteal Neurovascular Bundle Medialization and Axial Flap Rotation to Avoid Bone Impingement in Tibial Turn-up...

A 33-year-old male patient developed distal femur chronic osteomyelitis with massive bone loss after an open grade-3b fracture. Following several failed treatments to eradicate infection, a tibial turn-up procedure was performed to provide a stable and functional stump. To avoid neurovascular problems, the popliteal vessels and sciatic nerve were moved medially, and the flap was rotated externally to decrease the collapse. The progression after surgery was satisfactory, no vascular or neurological claudication was observed, and the patient has been able to wear an external prosthesis after flap healing. Tibial turn-up plasty is a rarely described reconstructive technique capable of providing longer stumps. The releasing and medialization of popliteal vessels, with axial rotation of the flap, may prevent the development of neurovascular impingement.