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Definition

Lower extremity reconstruction is a type of surgery that helps repair or rebuild damaged parts of the lower limbs, including the legs, ankles, and feet. It often includes procedures like bone grafting, tissue transfer, and other devices to improve movement, reduce pain, and fix deformities.

Alternative names

Limb salvage; lower limb salvage; limb reconstruction surgery

Description

Lower extremity surgical reconstruction can have a life-changing impact. In the past, serious injuries often led to amputation. However, thanks to new surgical techniques, limb salvage is possible for many people through reconstructive options like vascularized bone graft procedures.

Reconstructive surgery might be an option for people with:

• An open fracture in the leg
• Tibia bone fractures with loss of skin and soft tissue
• Chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Bone and soft tissue tumors
• Vascular disease
• Lower extremity defects
• Lower limb trauma

Targeted muscle reinnervation is a technique that helps people control prosthetic limbs by connecting nerves from their amputated limbs to muscles that lost their function. This method makes prosthetics move more naturally and reduces pain by giving nerves a place to grow.

Reconstructive techniques

• Soft tissue reconstruction:
  • Fasciocutaneous flaps
  • Muscle flaps
  • Free tissue transfer/microsurgery
• Bone reconstruction:
  • Vascularized bone grafts
  • Free fibula transfer

Potential side effects

Some potential side effects of lower extremity reconstruction include:

• Decreased mobility
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Osteomyelitis
• Pain
• Wound complications

Outlook (prognosis)

Recovery from lower extremity reconstruction can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the injury and type of surgery. It may take months to a year to return to normal activities, especially with physical therapy. Some people might need revision surgery later on. However, this surgery is life-changing and usually improves the patient's quality of life.