OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of tibial stump bursitis, in the establishment of differential diagnosis, and in the therapeutic management prosthetic-stump interface, mainly by adaptation of the prosthetic device. DESIGN: Two-year, prospective, consecutive series. SETTING: University-affiliated prosthetic and rehabilitation center and university department of radiology. PARTICIPANTS: A group of 17 persons with stump problems identified from a total of 139 consecutive below-knee amputees with prosthesis problems. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical symptoms and MRI. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms (variable stump volume, fluctuating mass at palpation with or without mechanical pain) were suggestive of bursitis in 10 patients. MRI confirmed bursitis in 9 and identified 1 in whom clinical signs suggested neuroma, giving an incidence of 10 of 139 amputees (7.2%). MRI identified 13 sites of bursitis (adventitious bursa, 11; synovial bursitis, 2) and 5 localized areas of soft tissue inflammation. MRI showed diffuse muscular edema at 1 site of clinically suspected bursitis, and bursitis at another site of suspected neuroma. Calcified bursitis was observed in 1 case. Bone abnormalities associated with bursitis (n=7) included osteophytes or fracture (n=4) or bone marrow edema (n=3). Two asymptomatic neuromas were also identified. MRI-guided modifications of the prosthetic interface led to favorable outcome in all cases. CONCLUSION: Bursitis, adventitious bursae, and areas of localized soft-tissue inflammation are different aspects of the same disorder resulting from a mechanical conflict between the stump and the prosthesis socket. Besides contributing to diagnosis, MRI provides a precise assessment necessary for correcting the prosthesis-stump interface in a way that reduces mechanical stress and subsequently cures bursitis.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of tibial stump bursitis, in the establishment of differential diagnosis, and in the therapeutic management prosthetic-stump interface, mainly by adaptation of the prosthetic device. DESIGN: Two-year, prospective, consecutive series. SETTING: University-affiliated prosthetic and rehabilitation center and university department of radiology. PARTICIPANTS: A group of 17 persons with stump problems identified from a total of 139 consecutive below-knee amputees with prosthesis problems. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical symptoms and MRI. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms (variable stump volume, fluctuating mass at palpation with or without mechanical pain) were suggestive of bursitis in 10 patients. MRI confirmed bursitis in 9 and identified 1 in whom clinical signs suggested neuroma, giving an incidence of 10 of 139 amputees (7.2%). MRI identified 13 sites of bursitis (adventitious bursa, 11; synovial bursitis, 2) and 5 localized areas of soft tissue inflammation. MRI showed diffuse muscular edema at 1 site of clinically suspected bursitis, and bursitis at another site of suspected neuroma. Calcified bursitis was observed in 1 case. Bone abnormalities associated with bursitis (n=7) included osteophytes or fracture (n=4) or bone marrow edema (n=3). Two asymptomatic neuromas were also identified. MRI-guided modifications of the prosthetic interface led to favorable outcome in all cases. CONCLUSION:Bursitis, adventitious bursae, and areas of localized soft-tissue inflammation are different aspects of the same disorder resulting from a mechanical conflict between the stump and the prosthesis socket. Besides contributing to diagnosis, MRI provides a precise assessment necessary for correcting the prosthesis-stump interface in a way that reduces mechanical stress and subsequently cures bursitis.