Functional analysis of patients who have had a modified Van Nes rotationplasty

Electromyographic analysis of gait in eight patients who had had a modified Van Nes rotationplasty was performed to compare the activity of the flexors and extensors of the ankle on the side of the operation with that of the flexors and extensors of the knee on the normal, contralateral side. The resemblance in the activity of the extensors was more pronounced than that of the flexors. In three patients, the angle of flexion of the knee throughout the gait cycle was the same on the side of the rotationplasty as on the normal side. There was more symmetry in the swing phase than has been reported for patients who have had an above-the-knee amputation. The strength of the dorsiflexors of the ankle on the side of the rotationplasty was 68 percent and that of the flexors was 71 per cent when compared with that of the muscles of the normal ankle.