We performed metabolic studies of gait in eighteen patients who had had
above-the-knee amputation, block resection and arthrodesis of the knee, or
block resection and rotationplasty for a malignant tumor of the distal end
of the femur or the proximal end of the tibia. According to the measurement
of consumption of oxygen, the patients who had had rotationplasty walked
most efficiently. Those who had had arthrodesis used more oxygen and walked
at a slower rate.