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Background: The goal of rehabilitation following lower extremity amputation is to restore the highest level of independent function. As much as possible, this includes the functional use of a prosthetic device fitted to the residual limb. Early prosthetic fit depends, in turn, on rapid healing of the amputation site., Methods: We hypothesized that compliance with a novel custom-designed amputation protection and compression system (CAPCS) to the residual limb can accelerate and improve the likelihood of successful prosthesis use. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who were offered CAPCS by certified prosthetists (Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Bethesda, MD) during the period between April 2004 and November 2009. Variables included age, sex, indication for amputation, and compliance with CAPCS. Compliance was defined as consistent observed wearing of the CAPCS as directed. The primary end point was the fitting of a prosthetic device to the amputated limb, with time to prosthetic fit being the secondary outcome., Results: Out of 100 patients who were offered CAPCS (n = 100) during the study period, 76% were considered compliant (n = 76). Sixty five patients (65%) were ultimately fitted with prosthetic limbs. In multivariate analysis, we found that patients who had compliant use of CAPCS were significantly more likely to be successfully fit with prosthesis (72 vs. 42%, p = 0.005). At 100 days post amputation, the cumulative incidence of prosthesis fitting was significantly higher in CAPCS compliant patients (69.7 vs. 22.2%, p = 0.012)., Conclusions: Compliant use of a CAPCS following amputation is associated with earlier and more frequent use of a prosthetic. Based on this limited data set, a conclusion can be drawn that the potential exists to significantly improve functional outcomes after amputation, but well-designed prospective studies are needed to confirm this association., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of tendon Achilles lengthening (TAL) on ambulatory plantar pressures and ankle range of motion, moment, and power, and to determine whether changes in forefoot pressure after treatment of a neuropathic ulcer are related to changes in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) or plantar flexor (PF) power during gait. Pressure and gait tests were performed before treatment, and at 3 weeks and 8 months after treatment in two randomly assigned groups of subjects with diabetes, equinus deformity, and a neuropathic forefoot ulcer treated with TAL and total contact casting (TAL group, n=14), or total contact casting alone (TCC group, n=14). The TAL group had an initial decrease in forefoot peak pressure (PP) (27%), forefoot pressure-time integral (PTI) (42%), PF moment (53%), and PF power (65%), along with an initial increase in rear foot PP (34%), rear foot PTI (48%), and DFROM (74%). Post-surgical changes in rear foot pressure and DFROM were maintained up to 8 months after treatment with TAL, whereas forefoot pressure and PF moment and power increased significantly. Changes in forefoot pressure after treatment in either group were correlated with changes in PF power (r=0.45-0.60), but not with changes in DFROM during gait (r=-0.02-0.08). Results suggest TAL causes a temporary reduction in forefoot pressure primarily by reducing PF power during gait. The initial decrease in forefoot pressure, followed by progressive reloading of forefoot tissues as PF muscles regain strength after TAL, may help reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence in patients with diabetes.