What is amputation?
Amputation is a vascular surgery where your arm, leg, foot, hand, toe or finger must be removed. It’s a last resort, used only when other treatments don’t apply or don’t work out. If you have a wound, infection or other problem with a limb or extremity that won’t heal, amputation may be the only answer.
When is amputation needed?
Amputation prevents infection or pain from spreading further throughout your body. It’s most often required when there’s a wound that just won’t heal on its own or respond to other treatments. You may also need to amputate if you have cancerous tumors, gangrene, severe frostbite, neuroma or an injury that damages a body part beyond repair.
Many of the reasons for amputation result from poor blood flow. And there are two conditions that commonly cause circulation issues that can end in amputation:
- Peripheral arterial disease: PAD is when there’s a buildup of plaque in the arteries, causing damage and blocking blood flow to a particular limb or extremity. Without proper circulation, the tissue in the affected limb or extremity dies off. When tissue dies, it’s more prone to infection, which can easily spread and do more damage to other parts of your body.
- Diabetes: Poor blood flow to the feet is a common complication of diabetes. You may feel numbness or just less sensation. This makes it hard to notice cuts, blisters and other wounds that can quickly become infected if left untreated.
What are the risks of amputation?
Bleeding, swelling, pain and infection are risks with any surgical procedure. Some complications specific to amputation include:
- Slow or poor healing: The same issues that lead to amputation can remain after a limb or extremity is removed — especially in instances where lack of blood flow was an issue.
- Phantom limb syndrome: Often when your arm or leg is removed, you feel that it’s still there. Some people just feel the sensation that their limb is still present, while others experience pain.
How do you prepare for an amputation?
Preparation for amputation surgery depends on the severity of your condition and the limb or extremity being removed. Your vascular surgeon will provide detailed instructions leading up to your amputation so that you are ready for anesthesia and surgery. Prep work may include pain medications, fasting or even activity to maintain strength going into the procedure.
What should I expect after amputation surgery?
After surgery, you may experience the complications listed above. At the same time, the pain, discomfort or infection you experienced before surgery is gone. Your vascular surgery team will keep a close eye on your wound during your hospital stay and at follow-up visits to help you manage any issues.
The timetable for your recovery, as well as any specific instructions, varies based on the limb or extremity amputated and the complexity of the surgery. An arm or leg requires more care and recovery than a finger or toe. If you’ve opted for a prosthetic arm or leg, you’ll begin to learn how to use it about two months after the amputation. It can take several more months of physical therapy, rehab and learning until you’re fully able to move and function with your new prosthetic.