Amputation

What is amputation?

Amputation is the loss of all or part of a limb. You may lose something as small as your fingertip or as large as an entire leg.

When do amputations occur?

All or part of your limb may be surgically removed as part of the medical treatment for:

• severe infection or injury
• cancer
• body tissue that is dying because it has a poor blood supply.

Foot problems related to diabetes are the most common reason people need amputation as a medical treatment. Sores or ulcers can occur on the feet of diabetics, sometimes without the diabetic even being aware of the sore. The sore or ulcer can become severely infected and cause the flesh to die. This is a condition called gangrene.

Amputation may also happen as the result of an injury, such as car and motorcycle accidents, industrial accidents, and outdoor recreation accidents.

How are amputations treated?

If part of the body was removed to treat a medical problem, the treatment is focused on healing the wound and preventing complications from the surgery.

If an amputation was accidental, the treatment depends on:

• what body part was lost
• how long it happened before treatment
• how damaged the amputated part is.

If an amputated part is not too damaged and its accidental loss is recent, sometimes it can be put back onto the body. This is called reimplantation.

If an amputated part cannot be reimplanted or if the amputation is part of a medical treatment, then you will be forever without that body part. Physical and occupational therapy will help you return to a normal lifestyle without the amputated part.

You will be given antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medicines to help relieve pain.

Some people find it helpful to replace the missing body part with an artificial body part called a prosthesis. The prosthesis is fitted to your body to take the place of the amputated part. A variety of prostheses are available. Some have microcomputers in them. There are even special prostheses for people who like to swim. Deciding if you will get a prosthesis is a very personal choice. Most people can return to an active life with or without a prosthesis. They can go back to work and take part in sports and activities they enjoy.

After an amputation you may have feelings called phantom pain. This pain feels as real as any other pain and seems to be occurring in the part of your body that you lost. You may also have feelings of burning, tingling, or itching. You may also have stump pain at the site of the surgery. The exact cause of these feelings is not completely understood. These feelings may be treated with medicines or other types of therapy.

Can I help prevent amputations?

Many amputations result from accidents that may be hard to prevent. However, some amputations can be prevented.

• If you have diabetes, you can prevent ulcers and other infections can be prevented with careful foot inspections, good foot care, and shoes that fit properly.
• Not smoking can help prevent poor blood circulation.
• Using good safety habits when operating machinery can prevent serious injuries.

For more information, call the Amputee Coalition of America at 888-267-5669 or visit their Web site at http://www.amputee-coalition.org.