Lower limb amputation

1. What are the most common causes of lower extremity amputation in various age groups?
2. What is myodesis?
3. What is myoplasty?
4. What are the functions of a temporary prosthesis?
5. How often is a permanent prosthesis usually replaced?

Answers:
1. 0-5: congenital. 5-15: cancer. 15-50: trauma. 50+: vascular disease.
2. Muscles and fascia sutured directly to bone through drill holes, resulting in a more structurally stable limb.
3. Opposing muscles sutured to each other and to periosteum with minimal tension, which takes less time and better for dysvascular limbs.
4. Can be used before limb volume stabilizes, helps in shrinking and shaping, allows early prosthetic training, maybe used as a trial to test patient's success with prosthesis. It is usually used for first 3-6 months.
5. Every 3-5 years.