Osseous overgrowth after amputation in adolescents and children

We retrospectively studied the incidence of primary surgical revision for stump overgrowth in a population of childhood and adolescent amputees. The anatomic location and the etiology of amputation are critical to the occurrence of overgrowth needing revision. Metaphyseal-level amputations are the most likely to develop overgrowth requiring revision (50%), whereas diaphyseal amputations are slightly less likely (45%). Joint disarticulations never develop overgrowth. Traumatic amputations are the most frequent mode of injury requiring revision of overgrowth (43%), followed by congenital or intrauterine amputations (30%) and elective amputations (20%). Radiographic classification of the osseous overgrowth helps define its severity and degree of ossific progression. Surgical revisions are usually performed when overgrowth reaches a grade 3 classification. The majority of skeletally immature diaphyseal- or metaphyseal-level amputees, including those with certain preexisting orthopaedic conditions, retain the ability to develop osseous overgrowth at the apex of the stump skeleton.