Amputation

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Amputation
Synonyms	Limb loss
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, phantom limb sensation, infection
Complications	Phantom limb pain, infection, deep vein thrombosis
Onset	Can be congenital or acquired
Duration	Permanent
Types	N/A
Causes	Trauma, disease, surgery
Risks	Diabetes, peripheral artery disease, severe injury
Diagnosis	Physical examination, imaging
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Prosthetics, physical therapy, pain management
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies depending on cause and treatment
Frequency	Common in war zones, industrial accidents, and among diabetics
Deaths	N/A

Amputation is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. It's often used as a last resort treatment option when a limb is severely damaged or diseased.

Index finger amputation

Introduction

Amputation is a major operation that has serious physical and psychological implications. However, it can be a life-saving procedure in cases where the limb is posing a threat to the patient's life, as with certain types of cancer or severe infection.

Reasons for Amputation

• There are several reasons why an amputation might be necessary:
• Peripheral artery disease
• Cancer in the bone or muscle of the limb
• Severe injury
• Serious infection that does not get better with antibiotics or other treatment
• Neuroma (nerve tumor)
• Frostbite

Types of Amputation

• Amputations can be classified by the part of the body that is removed:
• Leg Amputations: Includes foot, below-knee, above-knee, and hip-level amputations.
• Arm Amputations: Includes hand, below-elbow, above-elbow, and shoulder-level amputations.

Procedure

During an amputation, the surgeon removes the diseased limb and any damaged tissue. They will also try to preserve as much healthy skin, blood vessels, and nerves as possible to help speed recovery and optimize the function of the limb with a prosthesis.

Rehabilitation

After amputation, patients usually undergo physical and occupational therapy to regain strength, mobility, and independence. Psychological support is also essential as many patients may experience grief and depression after the loss of a limb.

Prosthetics

Prosthetic limbs can often provide a high level of function and quality of life for individuals after amputation. Prosthetic technology has advanced considerably, with modern prosthetics offering increased mobility, functionality, and lifelike appearance.

See Also

• Rehabilitation (Medicine)
• Prosthetics
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Bone Cancer

References

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