Gastrocnemius muscle transposition for bony and soft-tissue defects.

For patients with chronic osteomyelitis, extensive scarring or soft tissue defects around the knee joint, transposition of the gastrocnemius muscle should be considered, because of its constant anatomy, easy dissection, versatility and moulding features combined with an excellent immunocompetence related to the high oxygen environment. Three patients were treated with transposition of the medial gastrocnemius muscle. Follow-up (12-15 months) showed a good result without recurrence of infection.