[AMP-L] Bone Growth

[rjclark at telus.net]

Osteophytic (spelt wrong???)  is common with some people yet others do not seem 
to be troubled with it.  At the time of his death Chaz Holder had an AK level 
amputation on his right leg (mid-low thigh) and BK on the left.  He had no 
problem with osteophytes on the left leg but all of his revision surgeries on 
his right leg were due to osteophytic bone growth.  In fact he was in the 
process of initiating a formal study of this problem, feeling that it is the 
cause of many secondary surgeries.  He was facing surgery again himself which 
would have left him a very short RAK..  This seems to be random growth which is 
rounded and smooth in some people yet fork like, in a star formation,  in 
others.  For these people a serious concern is that their residual limb is torn 
up from the inside, every time they take a step.
 
Chaz had spoken with a number of medical personnel and was coordinating a team 
that would work on this.  One member of this team has subsequently initiated a 
new study on this problem.  He had not heard of any of this on upper extremity 
limbs, only lower extremity.
 
When anyone is having revision surgery it might be helpful to press your 
surgeon to identify the presence or absence of osteophytes AND to record this 
on your records.  Full measurements of the osteophyte, length of time since 
last surgery, length of time since acknowledging the beginning of the 
osteophyte being recorded would also be of value, if you can get your surgeon 
on side.
 
I am not sure if the current study is public or not and will contact the 
primary investigator and see if I can share the information here.
 
Ruth Clark