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Syme's amputation

Syme's amputation is a through-ankle amputation in which the foot is removed while preserving the heel pad and distal tibia-fibula, allowing end-bearing ambulation. Originally described by James Syme in 1843, it provides a durable weight-bearing stump with minimal limb-length discrepancy compared with more proximal amputations. The procedure is most commonly indicated for severe foot trauma, infection, congenital deformities, and selected diabetic foot conditions when the heel pad and posterior tibial artery remain viable. A Syme prosthesis is specifically designed to accommodate the bulbous distal stump while allowing efficient gait and end-bearing function. Successful outcomes depend on meticulous heel pad preservation, prevention of migration, and appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation.

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Syme's amputation is a through-ankle amputation in which the foot is removed while preserving the heel pad and distal tibia-fibula, allowing end-bearing ambulation. Originally described by James Syme in 1843, it provides a durable weight-bearing stump with minimal limb-length discrepancy compared with more proximal amputations. The procedure is most commonly indicated for severe foot trauma, infection, congenital deformities, and selected diabetic foot conditions when the heel pad and posterior tibial artery remain viable. A Syme prosthesis is specifically designed to accommodate the bulbous distal stump while allowing efficient gait and end-bearing function. Successful outcomes depend on meticulous heel pad preservation, prevention of migration, and appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation.
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