REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY OF THE STUMP IN BELOW-KNEE AMPUTEES

Objective: To document the occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump in two patients with below-knee amputation. Design: A retrospective survey emphasising two clinical case reports. Setting: Department of orthopaedic rehabilitation at a teaching rehabilitation hospital. Patients: Lower limb amputees (n = 164) were accepted for prosthetic rehabilitation. Twenty-one amputees were regarded as rehabilitation failures; in two below-knee amputees intractable pain was the major problem. Results: Clinical manifestations. radiological, and scintigraphic findings in the two amputees with intractable pain met the criteria for diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Conclusions: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the stump should be suspected in below-knee amputees whenever severe pain persists over a period of 3 to 4 months following amputation.