Journal List > J Korean Foot Ankle Soc > v.23(4) > 1139361

Shin, Kim, Roh, and Kim: Visually Indistinguishable Intractable Neuroma Management after Below Knee Amputation: A Case Report

Abstract

Symptomatic neuromas after amputation can be troublesome to treat and make it difficult to properly fit a brace. Surgical management is required when conservative management such as prosthetic socket modification or local injections fail. However, small cutaneous nerves adhere to adjacent soft tissue and they are difficult to locate. The authors suggest that ultrasonography guided tattoo localization using a charcoal suspension is useful to find a visually indistinguishable neuroma.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Preoperative photograph shows blue circle marked amputee end marked with Tinel's sign.

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Figure 2

A cutaneous nerve on lateral side of the amputee end was dissected (A) and embedded into muscle layer (B).

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Figure 3

A missed cutaneous nerve on anterior and medial side of the amputee end in first exploration (A) was marked with activated charcoal suspension assisted by ultrasonograph (B). (C) A preoperative ultrasonographic image shows tip of needle (arrow) approaching to nerve ending.

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Figure 4

A cutaneous nerve was found near charcoal deposit on medial (A) and anterior side of amputee end (B). (C) This nerve was a L-shaped single branch.

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Notes

The point of these thesis was presented by 2019 Spring Congress of Korean Foot & Ankle Society.

Financial support None.

Conflict of interest None.

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Ki Chun Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3731-8448

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