Stumped by the Mystery: A Case Report of Progressive Shortening of Bone Following an Above-Knee Amputation

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the anatomical adaptations in amputation stumps. In this study, we present a case report of a patient who underwent an above-the-knee amputation and, over the course of time, the length of the residual bone spontaneously shortened. The patient had undergone a total hip replacement in the same leg, and the cement mantle of the hip replacement, which could be seen within the medullary canal in the early postoperative X-rays, protruded due to bone resorption one year after the amputation. Although changes in bone microarchitecture in amputation stumps are well established, this is the first report of macroscopic changes in its actual length.

Bone Shortening After Amputation: A Report of Two Cases

“…This degree of shortening of the stump bone has also not been reported in the past; we report it here because 1.4 cm is a significant change to fit a prosthesis. A previous study reported shortening of the residual bone at the stump [4]. This case report describes a 39year-old female with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who underwent transfemoral amputation due to infection after total knee arthroplasty and showed postoperative bone shortening of the stump.…”

“…A previous study reported shortening of the residual bone at the stump [ 4 ]. This case report describes a 39-year-old female with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who underwent transfemoral amputation due to infection after total knee arthroplasty and showed postoperative bone shortening of the stump.…”