A case of delay in lower leg prosthesis creation due to skin conditions after lower leg amputation
―A case approached by co-medical staff to acquire walking ability―
Keywords:
Lower leg amputation, Prosthetics and orthotics, Convalescence rehabilitation wardAbstract
This case involves a 44-year-old man whose legs were run over by a continuous track. After right invasive fixation and lower left leg amputation, epithelialization at the donor site and stump was delayed. In response to this, rehabilitation aimed at returning home was conducted. As a lower leg prosthesis could not be created, considering the condition of the donor site and left stump, we contemplated that the patient should acquire the ability to move with crutches during the hospitalization period. However, we considered the patient's desire for a limb prosthesis (walking) as well as his post-discharge environment, and in order to make the prosthesis according to the condition of the left stump, the attending therapist, primary physician, and nurse closely collaborated to conduct a gradual rehabilitation for the patient to acquire the ability to walk, while regularly confirming the condition of the donor site and left stump. Consequently, epithelialization was confirmed in the donor site and left stump, which allowed the creation of a prosthesis. The patient was able to walk and expand the range of his activity, ultimately allowing the patient to return home. Despite the poor condition of the donor site and stump, the multidisciplinary approach and gradual rehabilitation program modelled on the patient’s condition likely led to the early acquisition of walking ability after prosthesis creation. Moreover, this also led to a safe post-discharge environment and expansion of the patient's range of activity.