Transfemoral Amputation
Pronunciation: trans-FEM-or-al
Surgical removal of the lower limb above the knee, at a level through the femur.
Full Definition
Transfemoral amputation, formerly termed above-knee (AK) amputation, involves removal of the limb at a level through the femoral shaft, distal to the hip joint but proximal to the knee. It results in loss of the knee joint, which significantly increases the metabolic demand of ambulation and the complexity of prosthetic fitting. Editors should note that 'transfemoral' replaces the legacy term 'above-knee' in modern clinical documentation, though both may appear in source materials. The residual femoral segment is referred to as the 'transfemoral residual limb.'
Usage
Usage note: Preferred over 'above-knee amputation' in contemporary clinical writing. Confirm consistency with 'transtibial' usage in the same document.
In Context
- "Patients with transfemoral amputation typically require a microprocessor-controlled knee unit for optimal gait." — Prosthetics clinical guideline
- "The author alternated between 'above-knee' and 'transfemoral'; the editor standardised all instances to the latter." — Editorial review note