Femoral lengthening after transfemoral amputation

This retrospective study included four patients with transfemoral amputations who had undergone six lengthenings of their residual femurs. Initial femoral bone lengths averaged 15.5 cm with a mean final length of 21 cm. The average gain of limb length (ischium to end of soft tissue), however, was 2 cm (15%). Second lengthenings resulted in only 17% additional bone length, compared to 50% for first lengthenings. Treatment time was protracted and complications resulted from infection, bone healing, and pin migration. However, all patients reported substantial improvement in walking function and prosthetic use.