Congenital limb malformation and pediatric amputation

Abstract

Congenital limb deficiencies are rare genetic conditions and treatment options vary according to their phenotypes. In longitudinal deficiencies of lower limbs, limb-sparing surgery or prosthetic fitting following amputation is selected. In upper-limb deficiencies, amputation is rarely indicated ; reconstruction for radial deficiency and prosthetic fitting for transverse deficiency proximal to the carpus are commonly-used treatment options. Treatment for acquired pediatric amputations follows that for congenital transverse deficiencies and indications for prosthetic fitting are common. In both congenital and acquired conditions, multidisciplinary collaboration by medical doctors, prosthetists-orthotists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals is necessary. Sharing information and unifying recognition on treatment options through medical conferences are important.