Amputated

An amputation is the surgical removal of part of the body, such as an arm or leg. This topic may be helpful if you, a friend, or a member of your family, recently had or are planning to have an amputation. Why amputation may be needed An amputation may be needed for many reasons, including if: • you have a severe infection in your limb • your limb has been affected by • you have complications from • there's serious trauma to your limb, such as a crush or blast wound • your limb is deformed and has limited movement and function Assessment before surgery Unless you need to have an emergency amputation, you'll be fully assessed before surgery to identify the most suitable type of amputation and any factors that may affect your rehabilitation. The assessment is likely to include a thorough medical examination to check your physical condition, such as your cardiovascular system (heart, blood and blood vessels) and your respiratory system (lungs and airways). The doctor will also check the condition and function of your healthy limb. Removing one limb can place extra strain on the remaining limb, so it's important to look after the healthy limb. It may also include a psychological assessment to determine how well you'll cope with the psychological and emotional impact of amputation, and whether you'll need additional support. There may be an assessment of your home, work and social environments to check if any changes will need to be made to help you cope. You may also be introd...

About 1.8 million Americans are living with amputations. Amputation of the leg -- either above or below the Reasons for Amputation There are many reasons an amputation may be necessary. The most common is poor circulation because of damage or narrowing of the Other causes for amputation may include: • Severe injury (from a vehicle accident or serious burn, for example) • Cancerous tumor in the bone or muscle of the limb • Serious infection that does not get better with • Thickening of nerve tissue, called a neuroma • The Amputation Procedure An amputation usually requires a hospital stay of five to 14 days or more, depending on the surgery and complications. The procedure itself may vary, depending on the limb or extremity being amputated and the patient's general health. Amputation may be done under general anesthesia (meaning the patient is asleep) or with spinal anesthesia, which numbs the body from the waist down. When performing an amputation, the surgeon removes all damaged tissue while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible. A doctor may use several methods to determine where to cut and how much tissue to remove. These include: • Checking for a pulse close to where the surgeon is planning to cut • Comparing • Looking for areas of reddened skin • Checking to see if the skin near the site where the surgeon is planning to cut is still sensitive to touch During the procedure itself, the surgeon will: • Remove the diseased tissue and any crushed bone • Smooth uneven ...

Losing a limb because of accidental trauma or disease has an enormous impact on a person’s body, emotions, relationships, vocation and way of life. While some other surgical procedures return the patient to health and wellness relatively quickly, the recovery period after a major amputation can take a long time and require hard work on the part of both patient and care team. For patients facing an amputation, the rehabilitation process starts, when possible, even before the surgical procedure. This is called “pre-hab.” The Amputation Rehabilitation Team Physical medicine and rehabilitation experts can work with you to create an individualized plan and prepare you for what’s ahead. Your rehabilitation team may include: • A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor focuses on restoring health and functional abilities after amputation, and creates a custom treatment plan built around your needs. • A physical therapist works with you on muscle strength, flexibility and coordination, and trains you in how to use your prosthesis if one is part of your recovery. • A prosthetist, or orthotic expert, creates a customized prosthesis if one will be used. • An occupational therapist works with you to maximize your independence and adapt to daily life, with or without a prosthetic. • A rehabilitation psychologist helps you with grief and loss associated with removal of a limb, and any associated mental health crises including Having the support of a dedicated team of experts is essen...