AMPUTATION STUMPS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY

Our purpose in this paper is to report a study of seventy cases of amputation of the lower extremity. We will present the causes for amputation and the treatment received, as well as the present appearance and function of the amputation stumps. This entire subject received great emphasis after the World War, at which time it has been estimated that more than one-half million amputations were done. Surgeons began analyzing their cases, and closer contact with the prosthesis makers emphasized many practical phases of the problem. As a result the rather well defined rules for stump lengths have been repeatedly stressed. This study will show that if these rules are violated reamputation frequently becomes necessary. During the past nine years in the orthopedic service at the State University and Crippled Children's hospitals there have been more than 250 amputations, and for our follow-up study seventy patients returned. The average follow-up