Amputation

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Amputation is the surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity such as an arm, leg, foot, hand, toe, or finger. Amputation of the leg – either above or below the knee – is the most common amputation surgery. … Read More

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Amputation

Amputation is the surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity such as an arm, leg, foot, hand, toe, or finger.
Amputation of the leg – either above or below the knee – is the most common amputation surgery.

The Amputation Procedure

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 skin temperatures of the affected limb with those of a healthy limb
  • 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

Picture courtesy: Freepik

During the procedure itself, the surgeon will:

• remove the diseased tissue and any crushed bone
• Smooth uneven areas of bone
• Seal off blood vessels and nerves
• Cut and shape muscles so that the stump, or end of the limb, will be able to have an artificial limb (prosthesis) attached to it
• The surgeon may choose to close the wound right away by sewing the skin flaps (called a closed amputation). Or the surgeon may leave the site open for several days in case there’s a need to remove additional tissue.
The surgical team then places a sterile dressing on the wound and may place a stocking over the stump to hold drainage tubes or bandages. The doctor may place the limb in traction, in which a device holds it in position, or may use a splint.

The psychological impact of amputation

The loss of a limb can have a considerable psychological impact. Many people who’ve had an amputation report emotions such as grief and bereavement, similar to experiencing the death of a loved one.
Coming to terms with the psychological impact of an amputation is therefore often as important as coping with the physical demands.
Having an amputation can have a considerable psychological impact for three main reasons.
You have to cope with the loss of sensation from your amputated limb. Negative thoughts and emotions are common after an amputation. This is particularly true in people who’ve had an emergency amputation because they don’t have time to mentally prepare for the effects of surgery.

Causes

There are many reasons an amputation may be necessary. The most common is poor circulation because of damage or narrowing of the arteries, called peripheral arterial disease.

Without adequate blood flow, the body’s cells cannot get oxygen and nutrients they need from the bloodstream. As a result, the affected tissue begins to die and infection may set in.

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 antibiotics or other treatment
• Thickening of nerve tissue, called a neuroma
• Frostbite

FAQ

How long is the recovery after the amputation?
Physical recovery takes about 2 months for the wound to heal completely. Emotionally or mentally it might take more time to adjust and learn new methods of coping up due to the loss of a body part(arm or leg).

How long do I need to keep the bandage after amputation?
The bandage or dressing will be changed every day to avoid infection to the wound. The bandage will be taken off after the staples or stitches are removed and the wound has healed completely.

What exercises and physiotherapy I need after amputation?
A physiotherapy will help and guide you to perform several active and passive exercises to strengthen the remaining bones and muscles. Exercise also helps to prevent blood clots and to provide adequate blood flow to the amputated part for faster recovery.

Why is amputation done?
Amputation is the last choice of treatment when the tissue is already dead and infected and cannot be healed. It helps to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body thereby decreasing the complications.

When should I undergo amputation?
The doctor will suggest an amputation when the affected part has been greatly infected along with increased pain. Its also done when no other treatment can be done like in cases of crushed bones or dead tissue.

What supplements and vitamins I need to take after amputation?
Doctor will suggest to consume diets that are rich in vitamin C (citrus food like orange, lemon,guava) ,Vitamin D(fish, mushrooms, dairy products) and calcium supplements. Vitamin C helps to prevent infections and vitamin D and calcium helps to increase bone density.

What are the complications that can arise after amputation?
Some of the complications include heart related issues like heart attack, false pain in the amputated part, wound infection, delayed wound healing, blood clots in the limbs and pneumonia.