Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

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VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 3 ( November, 2018 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Acute femoral shortening for reconstruction of a complex lower extremity crush injury

Philip K. Lim, Bharat Sampathi, Nathan M. Moroski, John A. Scolaro

Keywords : Femoral shortening, Knee disarticulation, Traumatic amputation, Open femur, Fracture

Citation Information : Lim PK, Sampathi B, Moroski NM, Scolaro JA. Acute femoral shortening for reconstruction of a complex lower extremity crush injury. 2018; 13 (3):185-189.

DOI: 10.1007/s11751-018-0311-4

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 01-12-2016

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2018; The Author(s).


Abstract

Traumatic through-knee or transfemoral amputations with concomitant ipsilateral femoral fractures are extremely rare injuries. The initial goal of management is patient resuscitation and stabilization. Subsequent interventions focus on limb salvage and the creation of a residual limb that can be fitted successfully for a functional lower extremity prosthesis. We present the case of a patient who sustained a traumatic through-knee amputation ipsilateral to an open comminuted femoral fracture. Soft tissue injury prohibited initial primary closure over the distal femoral condyles. A functional residual limb was achieved with acute femoral shortening, maintenance of the femoral condyles and fracture stabilization with a short retrograde intramedullary nail. This approach allowed maintenance of muscular attachments to the femur, soft tissue closure and resulted in a residual limb of acceptable length with a broad weight-bearing surface that was fitted with a prosthesis successfully.


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