Amputation For Hemiplegia

[RENARDWC at ctrvax.Vanderbilt.Edu]

Ideas or suggestions only to Ted Trower, CPO <ted at amputee.com> please

From: "Ted A. Trower" <ted at AMPUTEE.COM>
Subject: therapeutic amputation in hemiplegia
Sender: Orthotics and Prosthetics List <OANDP-L at lists.ufl.edu>

I received the following email and wonder if anyone here on the list has
ever seen this done. Any suggestions for this woman?

> I am a hemiplegic. I do not have dorsi-flexion and have foot drop so I
  require an A. F. O. My gait is far from normal and I walk with a limp
  due to the footdrop. I can't run for the same reason.

  An amputation of the foot would allow me to be fitted with a
  prostheses that would allow flexion. My left side is weaker and I know
  dorsi-flexion would not solve all my problems, but I do think the
  benefits would outweigh the disadvantages. I know that doctors
  sometimes amputate a limb when they cannot save function, but the
  stroke patient is left with non-functional limbs. This causes a lot of
  problems. My poor gait effects my whole body.

  Several years ago, I began asking physicians about amputation as a
  means of increasing my function. My doctors promised to look into, but
  never did. I would be interested in any information on amputation as a
  means of getting increased function.