Good day list,
Having a debate with a physician.  In your experience, does an experienced BK prosthetic user have better balance with a TMA on the sound side or as a bilateral BK prosthetic user? Keeping in mind that the soon to be TMA side has been insensate for years.  Â
This particular patient was told last week that he has “no blood flow past mid-shin” on his sound side. His leg is purple & cool from mid-shin down.  He was told he needs to make a decision whether to try to “save as much as possible” via a TMA & hope it heals or go straight to BKA. Patient chose the latter due to the delayed healing issues he experienced with his 1st BKA (11mo to heal) & pressure from the numerous doctors the hospital sent in to tell him that he’s “making the wrong decision”. Even brought in a physiatrist from the rehab where the patient learned to use his 1st prosthesis. Unfortunately, NOT the physiatrist familiar with the patient or who normally sees all prosthetic patients (!?) And, no, the normal Physiatrist was not on vacation, which makes me wonder…
It’s just so frustrating to see these folks go through a partial foot amputation only to end up back on the table for a BKA. Â
Thank you,Rick
Rick Milen, L/CPONEXSTEP, Inc.West Lawn, PAandZombie Buck DesignzBernville, PA
