A DIFFICULT CASE - SHOULD AN ELDERLY DIABETIC WOMAN WITH A RIGHT BELOW-KNEE AMPUTATION AND AN INFECTED SORE ON HER LEFT HEEL BE OPERATED ONFOR A FRACTURED HIP

Maintaining independent mobility is a high priority in elderly patient s, both for their quality of life and because of the increased morbidi ty and mentality associated with being confined to bed. M Helm and col leagues present a difficult case that illustrates the problems arising when a patient with a below knee amputation and an infected pressure sore on her remaining heel required an elective orthopaedic operation to restore a degree of independent mobility. Five experts not concerne d with the case also give their views on how it might have been manage d.