VIDEO: Rotationplasty

Today, I saw a woman who had an amputation in her left lower extremity as a child due to osteocarcoma in the femur (bone cancer). Initially, she appeared to have had an above knee amputation and prosthesis. However, when she removed her prothesis, I was surprised to see one of the most interesting things I have ever seen! At the age of 16, she had a rotationplasty surgery performed. Essentially, this involved an amputation above the knee such that the cancerous area was removed from the body, and the remainder of the detached lower leg/foot was rotated 180 degrees and re-fused to the femur. Because the leg was rotated 180 degrees, the foot was positioned with the heel in front and the toes pointing back. In this manner, the heel was able to act as the new knee joint.

Dr. Van Nes first performed this surgery in Canada in 1950. Check out this great and short video of this amazing procedure!