[The lower-limb amputation in geriatrics suffering from occlusive artery disease (author's transl)]

Owing to the biology of arteriosclerosis elderly previously affected patients have, as a rule, to undergo lower limb amputation for occlusive artery disease. This creates particular problems which must be taken into account when choosing the surgical technique and providing the prosthesis. The article surveys the common methods and describes, in particular, the knee disarticulation including the early prosthetic fitting carried out at the author's hospital, which in their experience can decisively improve the patient's rehabilitation.