Below the knee amputation for ischemic gangrene. Comparative results of conventional operation and immediate postoperative fitting technic.

The most critical factor in rehabilitation of the geriatric lowerextremity amputee on a prosthesis is preservation of the knee joint. Several reported series have established that most amputations below the knee will heal despite extensive vascular occlusive disease [I-41. Satisfactory healing appears to be a direct result of attention to atraumatic surgical detail, especially in the careful management of skin closure. A new technique for the postoperative management of the amputee has recently been introduced. A temporary prosthesis is applied at the time of operation, which permits limited weight-bearing ambulation by the first or second postoperative day [.5-141. This method offers the