title: Knee-disarticulation.
abstract: The disarticulation of the knee joint is--in contrary to the above-knee level--a fast and tender method for amputation, resulting in a vigorous, complete weightbearing stump. Without problems the bulky stump is fitted in an exactly moulded plastic or resin socket--eventually combined with a soft socket--, which can be easily put on and off also by older patients suffering from general dysvascular disorders. Nowadays special joints are used for functionally as well as cosmetically satisfying knee-disarticulation-prostheses. The surgical technique with alternative incisions, the peculiarities in dysvascular patients, the postoperative care including immediate or early fitting, the management after wound-healing with a temporary exercise-prosthesis and finally the various possibilities of the definitive prosthetic fitting are stressed in detail.
mesh_terms: D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004188:Disarticulation / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011474:Prosthesis Design