Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump in below-knee amputees.
OBJECTIVE
To document the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump in two patients with below-knee amputation.


METHODS
A retrospective survey emphasising two clinical case reports.


METHODS
Department of orthopaedic rehabilitation at a teaching rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Lower limb amputees (n = 164) were accepted for prosthetic rehabilitation. Twenty-one amputees were regarded as rehabilitation failures; in two below-knee amputees intractable pain was the major problem.


RESULTS
Clinical manifestations, radiological, and scintigraphic findings in the two amputees with intractable pain met the criteria for diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump should be suspected in below-knee amputees whenever severe pain persists over a period of 3 to 4 months following amputation.
Isakov
E
E
Department of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Hospital, Ra'anana, Israel.
Susak
Z
Z
Korzets
A
A
D000672:Amputation Stumps; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*