SALVAGE PROCEDURES FOR FULL-END-BEARING T HROUGH-KNEE-STUMPS IN CASE OF SOFT-TISSUE NECROSIS

Disarticulation of the knee results in an excellent endbearing stump. Operative technique is easy, fast and gentle. The muscular balance in the femur is not disturbed. The shape of the stump provides excellent rotation control in the prosthesis. New socket designs and prosthetic knee mechanisms have eliminated the former cosmetic problems concernin g this amputation level. Nevertheless - because of external rotation o f the femur, poor skin quality or wound closure under tension skin nec rosis can occur, most of the times concerning the lateral condyle regi on. Several operative possibilities to get a satisfactory wound closur e while preserving the advantages of this stump are presented.