Congenital limb anomalies and amputees Tayside, Scotland 1965-1994

The purpose of this study was to review the 68 patients who had been referred to Dundee Limb Fitting Centre during the period 1965-1994, with a congenital anomaly of a major limb requiring prosthetic replacement. A profile of the incidence of congenital anomalies, amputation levels and prosthetic fitting was obtained. During the period only 68 cases with 80 congenital anomalies were referred. During these 29 years, 20 cases required surgical amputation and overall 35 surgical procedures were performed in these cases, only 3 were in the upper limb. The incidence of upper and lower limb deficiency was similar. The patients represented a small proportion (1.6%) of the patients who were reported to have congenital anomalies. Figures indicated that about 8% of all live/still births have some form of anomaly. Prosthetic fitting and use was successful in all 68 cases but long term life follow-up is necessary to ensure continued prosthetic use.