There is no clear or good evidence how to manage severely injured limb in patients who are already retired. As the amputation brings significantly increased energy demand, on the other hand reconstruction exposes them to significantly increased risk of surgical and non surgical complications.
Two questions remain:
- Will soft tissue cover work?
- Will bone regenerate grow and mineralise to support the limb in the future.
Grade 3B open tibia fracture with significant soft tissue injury with loss of distal tibia articular surface as a result of a RTA – the leg was driven over by a heavy vehicle.
After the initial debridement and fracture stabilisation, bone transport was started.
After almost 1 year the frame was removed. Unfortunately the docking site didn’t fuse.
Retrograde ankle fusion nail was used to stabilise the ankle. After another year the ankle fused.
Level of activity is on the video which was taken two years after the accident.
In the following blog you can read the story written by Mrs Lewis about her experiences throughout the treatment and recovery after the injury she sustained.
