Knee-disarticulation.

The disarticulation of the knee joint is--in contrary to the above-knee level--a fast and tender method for amputation, resulting in a vigorous, complete weightbearing stump. Without problems the bulky stump is fitted in an exactly moulded plastic or resin socket--eventually combined with a soft socket--, which can be easily put on and off also by older patients suffering from general dysvascular disorders. Nowadays special joints are used for functionally as well as cosmetically satisfying knee-disarticulation-prostheses. The surgical technique with alternative incisions, the peculiarities in dysvascular patients, the postoperative care including immediate or early fitting, the management after wound-healing with a temporary exercise-prosthesis and finally the various possibilities of the definitive prosthetic fitting are stressed in detail.