Measuring outcomes in lower limb surgery.

This discussion focuses on limb salvage versus limb amputation. The authors address decision-making and outcomes that relate to the following questions: "Which patients would benefit from limb salvage as opposed to an amputation?" "Does the level of injury make a difference?" "Are there surgical or patient factors outside of the injury that have an impact on a patient's ultimate function and quality of life?" "Are there injury-related factors that have an impact on patient-reported outcomes?" "How satisfied are patients postoperatively?" and "What are the financial implications of these treatment strategies?"