Replantation of an Amputated Foot at the Rearfoot in an Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

There are fewer reports of lower extremity replantation than of upper extremity replantation because of the severity of the primary injury and its rarity. An amputated foot at the rearfoot was replanted in a 40-year-old man. Four months after surgery, he was able to walk more than one kilometer without crutches and returned to work. Three years after surgery, he is able to walk long distances without effort in normal shoes, and sensory recovery of the plantar area is good (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test: purple) . This is a superior result to that of amputation and prosthesis. Moreover, the potential psychological benefit to the patient should be considered. Replantation of the lower extremities has an increased risk of systemic complications, delayed return to work and plantar anesthesia. These problems make amputation and prosthesis a more realistic option. However, in some cases, replantation may produce results that are functionally and aesthetically superior to those of amputation and prosthesis.