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Medicaltalks almost 7 years ago
Severely injured leg!
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Severely injured leg!

This is a traumatic below-knee amputation of the right lower limb following a road traffic accident. Unfortunately, these injuries remain common, particularly following explosions and motor vehicle accidents, and, in addition, many survivors require primary amputation for unsalvageable injuries or to save their life. Notice that a thigh tourniquet was applied to control bleeding at the field before arriving to the emergency department for surgery. Further exploration revealed that all major nerves and vessels supplying the foot had been severed. The decision was then made to proceed with a formal, below-knee surgical amputation. The limb was then covered with a soft dressing, and the knee was held in full extension with a long leg splint that supported the distal end and secured the knee anteriorly and posteriorly. It was then primarily closed following debridement of any residual necrotic tissue and foreign materials. The quality of the soft tissue envelope of the residual limb is important, as this provides the comfort and durability needed for prosthetic tolerance and weight-bearing. A painful, non-healing, residual leg secondary to inadequate soft tissue cover will markedly worsen physical disability.

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Top rated comment
almost 7 years ago

What is the benefit or reason for a below knee amputation versus an above knee amputation??

almost 7 years ago

The knee joints help a lot with physical therapy when trying to recover and walk again. So if you can save the knee then it makes life a hell of a lot easier vs not having that join to move

almost 7 years ago

The person still has control of their knee which makes walking much easier than were the knee to be removed.

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almost 7 years ago

Shout out to dr buck

almost 7 years ago

Owwww

almost 7 years ago

Ow

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