Fitting and fabrication of a prosthesis for a severe flexion contracture: case study.

A patient, sent from a VA hospital, was seen at the VAPC Special Clinic for evaluation and prescription. He was not considered a good candidate for a prosthesis, since his condition was beyond what is generally accepted as a "good risk." Normally, SO deg. of flexion contracture is considered a maximum limit for fitting of below-knee amputees. This patient exceeds this maximum by almost 40 deg. However, his good spirits and desire to walk again induced the clinic team to try to develop a prosthesis he could tolerate. His background and followup from prescription to gait training follow: