title: Total knee arthroplasty in a below-knee amputee.
abstract: We present the case of a 75-year-old woman who, following a below-knee amputation, developed worsening osteoarthritis of her knee in the same limb. A total knee replacement was subsequently performed in the amputated limb. The patient successfully mobilized following the procedure and remained pain-free on review after 8 months. The Knee Society score improved from 53 to 85, and the function score increased from 0 to 40. Modifications to the standard technique of total knee arthroplasty used in this case and the postoperative rehabilitation methods are described. Total knee replacement should be considered as an alternative option to arthrodesis or above-knee amputation in a below-knee amputee with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*