Rehabilitation of a Patient with Pirogoff Amputation and Two-year Follow-up: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Pirogoff amputation is a calcaneal amputation invented by Nicolás Pirogoff that involves partial preservation of the calcaneus. CASE: A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with left Lisfranc and Chopart joint fracture-dislocation 9 months after a fall. The patient underwent debridement together with Pirogoff amputation and surgery to place an Ilizarov external fixator. Five months later, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Because of inadequate bone fusion, for 3 months after the amputation the patient underwent gait training with a patellar tendon weight-bearing orthosis to avoid loading the amputated side. After fusion of the bone, the patient was able to walk using a Syme prosthesis and a cane. Three months after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital, the patient was diagnosed with hallux osteomyelitis of the other foot that was associated with the exacerbation of hallux valgus. The patient underwent hallux correction surgery. Three and a half months after the second hospital admission, the patient was again admitted to the rehabilitation hospital. At the end of the rehabilitation program, the patient was able to walk using a cane and a prosthesis. DISCUSSION: Appropriate orthotic treatment and care of the non-amputated limb are of great importance in patients who have undergone a partial foot amputation.