[Creation of a weight-bearing leg stump and the fitting for a prosthesis].

Whether for functional or cosmetic reasons in oncologic patients, following amputation or severe crush injuries of the lower limbs with complete severance of vessels and nerves, microsurgery enables a weight-bearing lower limb or femoral stump to be created if such a result cannot be achieved by transplanting plantar skin with an intact vessel-nerve bundle. When first fitting a prosthesis in a patient with a weight-bearing lower leg stump created by autologous grafting of plantar skin employing the microsurgical method, it is advisable initially to partially relieve the grafted covering tissue in the prosthesis shaft. However, as soon as the transplanted skin flap has recovered full sensitivity it is advisable ti fit a limb supported on the end of the stump. It is then longer necessary to support the prosthesis on the ischium or the trochanter major. Fitting of a prosthesis of this type permits optimal rehabilitation.