Early Standing through Prosthetic and Orthotic Fitting in Transtibial Amputation and Multiple Limb Fractures: A Case Report

Abstract

Lower limb amputation due to an external injury is commonly accompanied by fractures in the other limb, and this results in delayed mobilization with prosthetic fitting of the amputee side until complete healing of the fracture. Many cases often result in a poor rehabilitative outcome as excessive immobilization causes muscle atrophy, joint contracture, synovial adhesions, and cartilage degeneration. A 75-year-old man had a crush injury and underwent transtibial amputation of the right leg and external fixator insertion for the left tibial shaft open fracture. From postoperative day 7, early standing training was performed by applying the prosthesis on the right leg and orthosis on the left leg to control the weight load. One year later, this geriatric patient could walk independently. This case report reveals an exemplary good outcome of early standing training in a geriatric patient for complicated lower limb amputation with other limb fractures.