If the leg stump is ten centimetres long, if the knee joint is freely mobile and capable of complete, or almost complete, active extension, and if there are no adherent scars around the tuberosities of the tibia, the American apparatus with free knee joint should be adopted.
Walking on the bent knee (as stated on [page 63]) with the "poor man's peg" may be allowed as a temporary measure, but the patient must be advised to give his knee a rest frequently in order to lessen the risk of stiffness in a flexed position.
There are two methods of fitting, corresponding with those we have described for the thigh.
1. For the ordinary amputations with bearing upon the top of the leg.
2. For amputation very low down with end bearing upon the extremity of the stump.
Fig. 102.—Limb fitted upon the patient. Note that he stands upon the toe, and that the knee is flexed.
Fig. 103.—Posterior view of the same limb.
