Disarticulation of the knee. A modified technique
E. M. Burgess
Knee disarticulation provides an excellent level of amputation in the lower
extremity, particularly of the younger, active male amputee. Many surgeons,
particularly in England, still prefer knee disarticulation when major
amputation is required for peripheral vascular disease. Its use has been
restricted over the years, largely because of certain prosthetic problems
associated with fitting the standard prosthesis. Modification in surgical
techniques to allow the incorporation of modern prosthetic design and
materials will enlarge the range of usefulness of through-knee amputation.
This is particularly true as it relates to the knee control mechanism of
the prosthesis. The surgical modifications presented in this report allow
modern prosthetic application to the amputation, with maximum functional
benefit and retention of the basic functional advantages of amputation at
this level.
