title: Femoral lengthening after transfemoral amputation.
abstract: This retrospective study included four patients with transfemoral amputations who had undergone six lengthenings of their residual femurs. Initial femoral bone lengths averaged 15.5 cm with a mean final length of 21 cm. The average gain of limb length (ischium to end of soft tissue), however, was 2 cm (15%). Second lengthenings resulted in only 17% additional bone length, compared to 50% for first lengthenings. Treatment time was protracted and complications resulted from infection, bone healing, and pin migration. However, all patients reported substantial improvement in walking function and prosthetic use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky, 1900 Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40502, USA.
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Hank
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Jennifer O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cottle
authors.forename: Keith D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: VandenBrink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies