title: Digital amputations in neuropathic feet.
abstract: A retrospective study was performed on 26 patients who had undergone 27 digital amputations. All of the patients in the study had marked neuropathy. Sixty-five percent of the feet developed new ulcerations following initial hallux amputations, with 53% of the ulcerations occurring at distal digital sites. Fifty-three percent of the patients who had undergone hallux amputations required further amputations secondary to new ulcerations. In contrast, only 10% of the feet with initial lesser digit amputations developed new ulcerations. The authors discuss the biomechanics involved and the possible therapy for preventing these ulcerations and amputations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatric Surgery, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Montain Home, TN.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Greteman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000601:surgery*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006214:Hallux / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014034:Toes / Q000601:surgery*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*