Free Tissue Transfer versus Native Plantar Flap Reconstruction After Transmetatarsal Amputation

Most spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar between TMA patients reconstructed with FTT and those with a native plantar flap. Although FTT patients had significantly higher RMS sway on univariate analysis, this was not independently associated with flap type after adjusting for confounders. This proof-of-concept analysis suggests that FTT, despite its bulk, may not significantly impair postamputation ambulation and remains a valuable limb salvage option when native plantar flap coverage may not be feasible.