Cover Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
ISSN:
8750-7315
Online Publication Date:
Feb 1993

A historical look at the transmetatarsal amputation and its changing indications

GM Habershaw Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

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GW Gibbons Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

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BI Rosenblum Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-83-2-79
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In March 1949, McKittrick described the use of the transmetatarsal amputation for the diabetic foot, along with specific indications. Infection, ischemia, and neuropathic ulcerations of the toes and forefoot were all treated with this procedure. In the past 30 years, however, advances in the management of these problems have led to a decrease in the number of transmetatarsal amputations performed at the New England Deaconess Hospital. With these advances, the current approach to the transmetatarsal amputation has changed, leading to significant modifications in the basic indications for this procedure.

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