THE PLIGHT OF THE TRAUMATIC AMPUTEE

This retrospective review of the long-term problems of patients with l ower extremity amputation from trauma fails to support the opinion tha t most traumatic amputees do well. Overall, anatomic problems involved 51% of the amputees, and social problems involved 56%. Attempting lim b salvage with subsequent secondary amputation did not seem to comprom ise the long-term outcome for these problems. The surgeon performing t he amputation should try to obtain the best possible stump and insure that the patient gets the careful follow up and multidisciplinary team support needed to manage the anticipated problems.