ABSTRACT
Limb amputation surgery and prosthetic replacement is one of the earliest recorded surgical operations dating back to 5th century BC. Historian Herodotus relates the story of a Persian soldier and prisoner who cut off his foot in order to secure his freedom and replaced it with a wooden foot. Rarely, special techniques may be used to provide skin cover with the aim of ensuring adequate length, i.e., to allow a possible transtibial level instead of a transfemoral amputation. The length of the prosthetic socket needs to accommodate the bulbous end of the amputation stump and choice of prosthetic knee and prosthetic foot may be restricted. The linkage between the amputation stump and prosthesis is termed the socket. Characteristics of the amputation stump that affect alignment include, muscle imbalance, length of stump and contractures. Disarticulation through the joint, either ankle or knee, can provide a durable and functional amputation stump with full end bearing properties.
