Amputation

An amputation is a removal of a limb that may have become infected or has diminished blood supply for some reason. This is almost always done as a last resort in an attempt to save the patient's life. It is usually done by a surgeon, although in some work related accidents workers have had amputations through unsafe machinery, usually cleaned up by a surgeon. Arms, legs, fingers and toes are the common body parts that are considered for amputation. Physicians will consider all other methods of stemming the infection or moving blood flow into the affected area before they will even consider doing an amputation.

The most common cause (90%) of amputation is peripheral artery disease (PAD) which usually affects people over 50, then diabetic disease and traumatic injury account for many of the others. Traumatic injury accounts for most of the amputations in people under the age of 50. Quite obviously this would also take into account soldiers serving in war. A traumatic injury can happen at work, in an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, at home, or perhaps even an assault.

The recovery period after this surgery depends on which limb was amputated, the patient's general health, and other injuries the patient might have sustained at the same time. There may be a 5-14 day hospital stay after an amputation and the norm is that the wound will be fully healed after 4-8 weeks. The patient needs to attend physical therapy and rehabilitation very soon after surgery to get the stump prepared for the artificial limb to be attached. Then therapy and rehabilitation is needed for the patient to become competent using the artificial limb in their daily activities. A patient may feel phantom pain where the missing limb was and also may actually go through a grieving period after the surgery. These emotional reactions are not to be taken lightly and should be appropriately treated as they appear. Many people do well after the loss of a limb, but nothing can totally replace what they've lost. If the limb loss was due to a work place injury or a traumatic injury you need to get as much information as possible on the cause of the injury and where the fault might lie for it. The Catastrophic Injury Resource Center is an excellent place to turn for information about possible legal implications in your injury. They are experienced in these types of injuries and know how to help you and your family to receive all the compensation that you may be due for the negligence of another.

For experienced and empathetic help with an injury such as this please contact the Catastrophic Injury Resource Center at 1-800-669-7700 or visit their website at http://www.catastrophicinjury.com for more information.