Pre-amputation preparation

This form of lower limb amputation is most commonly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There are more than 12 different possible amputation levels within the foot itself, ranging from the forefoot, to the midfoot, and the heel. The talus bone can also be a potential amputation level, though procedures at that level are often treated cosmetically.

Also known as a “below-knee amputation,” this lower limb loss involves an incision through the tibia and fibula. The exact location typically depends on the injury or underlying condition behind the amputation.

This amputation takes place either below the femur condyles or above the tibial plateau. It offers two important advantages over transfemoral amputations:

• At this amputation level, the residual limb often retains good musculature and soft tissue bedding, which supports high load capacity for a future prosthesis.

• The residual limb reduces the patient’s risk of hip flexor contraction and provides a long lever arm when walking on a prosthesis.

Also called an “above-knee amputation,” this TF limb loss involves cutting through the femur itself. A key goal is maximizing the length of the residual thigh bone. The more that’s preserved, the more walking muscle will be available to a patient when they begin using a prosthesis.

This form of amputation involves removing the patient’s leg while leaving the acetabulum intact. The patient can then control a prosthesis using their pelvis and abdominal muscles.

With this form of amputation, both the patient’s leg and acetabulum are removed but the sacrum and the pelvis remain intact. The patient can then control a prosthesis using their residual pelvis and abdominal muscles.