Early Fitting of the Below Knee Amputee

A comparison was made of the rehabilitation of patients undergoing below knee amputation during the calendar year 1982 on the orthopedic, general, and vascular surgical services at Parkland Hospital. Eight of nine trauma patients on the orthopedic service were fit with a temporary prosthesis and subsequently were fitted with a definitive prosthesis. Of the remaining 53 patients, only three were fitted with a temporary prosthesis and eventually 13 were fit with a definitive prosthesis. This experience identified a need for an alternative fitting method, which resulted in the design of a temporary, adjustable below knee prosthesis intended to be useful for a significant portion of the below knee population. Thus early ambulation is encouraged, possibly resulting in a higher percentage of successful ambulators. Gratifying early results with eight patients are described.