Minor Amputations
Clinical Cases

Complete healing was achieved by secondary intention within 6 months, preserving a stable, weight-bearing heel and avoiding a major amputation. This case demonstrates that even extensive ischemic heel gangrene—often considered an indication for below-knee amputation—can be successfully treated when revascularization is followed by carefully planned, tissue-preserving surgery. Preserving the heel preserves the patient’s ability to stand and walk, offering a functional limb instead of a prosthesis.

Complete healing was achieved by secondary intention within 8 months, resulting in a durable, weight-bearing heel and preservation of independent ambulation. This case demonstrates that even large ischemic heel defects can heal successfully without major amputation when blood flow is restored and only the non-viable calcaneal bone is removed. Preserving the heel preserves the patient’s ability to stand, walk, and maintain functional independence.

The surgical site healed successfully, allowing the patient to regain functional ambulation with specialized footwear while preserving the heel and ankle. This case highlights that a Lisfranc amputation can provide an excellent limb-salvage solution for extensive forefoot ischemic gangrene, preserving a stable, weight-bearing foot and avoiding a higher-level amputation that would result in substantially greater functional disability.

Complete wound healing was achieved after 5 months, preserving a functional weight-bearing hindfoot and avoiding a major below-knee amputation. This case demonstrates that even extensive ischemic gangrene extending into the midfoot does not necessarily require loss of the entire limb. When combined with successful revascularization, a Chopart amputation can provide durable limb salvage while maintaining meaningful function and independence.

Primary wound healing was achieved with an excellent functional result, allowing the patient to return to walking using customized footwear. This case illustrates that transmetatarsal amputation can successfully preserve a stable, weight-bearing foot, offering an effective alternative to higher-level amputations while maintaining mobility, independence, and quality of life.

The wound healed satisfactorily with preservation of a functional residual foot. This case demonstrates that after successful revascularization, a Chopart amputation can be an effective limb-salvage procedure, preserving weight-bearing capacity and functional mobility while avoiding a higher-level below-knee amputation.

The surgical site healed successfully, preserving a functional, weight-bearing foot. The patient was fitted with a custom forefoot prosthetic filler and specialized therapeutic footwear, enabling him to return to work. This case illustrates how timely revascularization combined with a Lisfranc amputation can preserve limb function and restore mobility while avoiding a higher-level amputation.

The surgical wound healed successfully, preserving a stable, functional weight-bearing limb. The patient was subsequently fitted with a custom prosthetic filler and specialized therapeutic footwear, allowing safe ambulation and maintaining independence. This case demonstrates how successful revascularization combined with a Chopart amputation can achieve durable limb salvage and avoid a major lower-limb amputation.