Digital amputations in neuropathic feet

B Greteman Department of Podiatric Surgery, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Montain Home, TN.

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S Dale Department of Podiatric Surgery, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Montain Home, TN.

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A retrospective study was performed on 26 patients who had undergone 27 digital amputations. All of the patients in the study had marked neuropathy. Sixty-five percent of the feet developed new ulcerations following initial hallux amputations, with 53% of the ulcerations occurring at distal digital sites. Fifty-three percent of the patients who had undergone hallux amputations required further amputations secondary to new ulcerations. In contrast, only 10% of the feet with initial lesser digit amputations developed new ulcerations. The authors discuss the biomechanics involved and the possible therapy for preventing these ulcerations and amputations.

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