SYMES AMPUTATION REVISITED - A REVIEW OF 46 CASES

We assessed 46 Syme's amputees attending prosthetic clinics in terms o f the clinical radiological condition of their stumps, their level of function and problems with the prosthesis, Twenty-five were compared w ith a matching group of 25 transtibial amputees in regard to activity, function and prosthetic behaviour. Function was similar in the two gr oups, but Syme's amputees had a higher incidence of prosthetic failure , Overall, Syme's amputees were pleased with their prostheses and thei r function, Childhood amputations were associated with fewer long-term problems in terms of function and stump problems, Syme's amputation i s indicated for congenital foot deformities, fibular hemimelia and sev ere injury to the foot as long as the heel pad remains viable.