Battle of the amputations: which below-knee surgery gives better results?

NCT ID NCT01821976

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compared two common below-knee amputation procedures: the Ertl (which creates a bone bridge between the shin and calf bones) and the Burgess (which does not). Researchers wanted to see which leads to better function, less pain, and fewer follow-up surgeries. A total of 199 people who needed a below-knee amputation after a severe leg injury took part. The results could help surgeons choose the best technique for future patients.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Ertl procedure (tibia-fibula bone bridge) vs Burgess procedure (no bone bridge)

What this could lead to

If one procedure proves clearly better, it could become the standard for below-knee amputations, improving mobility and reducing pain for future patients.

What could go wrong

This is a completed study, so results are already known. The advantage of one procedure over the other may be small or not apply to all patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTATION

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.

Contacts and locations

Show contact details

Locations

Barnes Jewish Hospital

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28232, United States
Emory University School of Medicine

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
Eskenazi Health

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
Florida Orthopaedic Institute- Tampa General Hospital

Tampa, Florida, 33606, United States
Hennepin County Medical Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55430, United States
MetroHealth Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States
Penn State University M.S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
San Antonio Miliary Medical Center

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234-6315, United States
St. Louis University Medical Center

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
UT Health: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of California San Francisco Medical Center

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Maryland/R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Medical Center

Baltimore, Maryland, 212101, United States
University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center

Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States
University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, United States
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Madison, Wisconsin, 53726, United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20889, United States