FUNCTIONAL-ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD A MODIFIED VANNES ROTATIONPLASTY

Electromyographic analysis of gait in eight patients who had bad a mod ified Van Nes rotationplasty was performed to compare the activity of the flexors and extensors of the ankle on the side of the operation wi th that of the flexors and extensors of the knee on the normal, contra lateral side. The resemblance in the activity of the extensors was mor e pronounced than that of the flexors. In three patients, the angle of flexion of the knee throughout the gait cycle was the same on the sid e of the rotationplasty as on the normal side. There was more symmetry in the swing phase than has been reported for patients who have had a n above-the-knee amputation. The strength of the dorsiflexors of the a nkle on the side of the rotationplasty was 68 per cent and that of the flexors was 71 per cent when compared with that of the muscles of the normal ankle.