A case series featuring extremely short below-knee stumps.

Lower limb amputations should be evaluated carefully, especially with regard to the possibility of preserving the knee joint to enable a more physiological gait and lower energy consumption. Below-knee amputations were performed immediately below the tibial tuberosity with maintenance of the insertion of the patellar tendon, resulting in very short, but functional stumps. This case study examined whether very short below-knee stumps allow a more functional gait, as compared to more proximal amputations. Carvalho JA, Mongon MD, Belangero WD, Livani B. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2011 Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22170876