Detachable cast pylon technique for rigid dressings on below-knee amputee patients.

The attachment of a pylon and prosthetic foot to a postoperative rigid dressing can be beneficial in the management of a below-the-knee amputation. Recently, a rigid, removable dressing has been used to allow easy inspection of the stump during healing. The removal of the pylon and prosthetic foot at night, preventing unsupervised ambulation, is accomplished by a disconnecting mechanism, which is permanently attached to the end of the rigid removable dressing. This disconnecting mechanism adds to the bulk and weight of the rigid dressing, increasing the shear force on the stump. We are introducing the detachable cast pylon technique, in which a fabricated sleeve attached to the pylon is easily and completely attached and detached from a rigid dressing. It is lightweight, less bulky, easily fabricated, and inexpensive. It offers a quick disconnect system for either the Otto-Bock attachment plate or uniquely with PVC tubing. In addition, this technique affords consistency in shaping the stump, as the same rigid dressing can be used for both rest and training. Its intent is for in-hospital use or when ambulation is restricted to supervised situations.