Amputation Every year in the United States, approximately 100,000 people undergo the removal of a limb or appendage (an arm, leg, hand, finger or toe). While complications from diabetes and other vascular conditions account for 60% of all amputations, 30% are the result of a traumatic incident. Traumatic injuries may involve machinery accidents (40.1%), accidents involving power tools and appliances (27.8%), firearm accidents or incidents of violence (8.5%) and vehicular accidents (8%). The balance of amputations (10%) are the result of tumors and birth defects.

Most amputations that result from diabetes or vascular problems (approximately 57,000 annually) occur among geriatric patients and 15%-30% of those patients are likely to lose an additional limb within three years of the first amputation. Most trauma related amputations involve young males aged 15-30, while amputations resulting from tumors or birth defects usually occur in young people aged 11-20.

Typically, an amputation patient can expect an average hospital stay of from two to seven days and will require about six weeks to recovery from the surgery. Most postoperative wounds heal completely without complication. Many patients then enter a physical rehabilitation program to help them adapt to the loss and to adjust to the use of a prosthesis or artificial limb. Such programs also help patients improve their self-esteem and regain their independence.

Problems with Amputation

The need for amputation can be caused by serious and even life-threatening problems. Blood circulation to the affected portion of the body may be irreversibly interrupted, either through disease or traumatic injury, which could quickly lead to severe infection and gangrene. Patients will typically be subjected to a variety of blood and urine studies, X-rays and other diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the damage prior to surgery.

Postoperative complications typically result from excessive bleeding, infection of the surgical wound or muscle contracture (a shortening of the muscles surrounding the surgical area). Some patients complain they can still feel pain in the affected limb after removal, a condition known as “phantom limb”. Other patients may suffer from a post-surgical pulmonary embolism which is an obstruction of a blood vessel. This is usually the result of a blood clot, an air bubble, a fat globule, a tumor cell or even a piece of foreign matter.

Treating Amputations

Lack of blood circulation can lead to serious problems with any amputation. It is imperative for patients who suffer from symptoms including numbness, reduced body temperature or other dysfunctions in their hands, arms or legs to be examined as quickly as possible in order to prevent further complications.

Once a limb or appendage has been amputated, patients may elect to wear a prosthesis or artificial limb in order to function at or near the level they functioned at prior to the surgery. Though rehabilitative therapy may be required to master these devices, patients can usually expect to live full and complete lives, engaging in most, if not all, of the activities they enjoyed prior to the operation.

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