In the United States, there is an estimated 1.7 million people living with an amputation and approximately 135,000 new amputations yearly. While 75% of all amputations happen in persons over the age of 65, the peak age for limb loss is between 41 and 70. Also, males have a higher amputations rate than females. There are many reasons for an amputation, including vascular disease (circulation problems), cancer, trauma, and congenital (from birth).
Traumatic amputation, the accidental severing of a portion or all of a body part, is a significant life-threatening and life-altering event. Amputation may be complete, where the limb or appendage is completely severed from the body, or partial, where some soft tissue remains at the site.
Amputations caused by vascular disease are dysvascular related. When an individual has problems with blood vessels, many times it forms into a vascular disease. When this happens, an amputation is sometimes necessary. The National Limb Loss Center estimates that the majority, 82%, of amputations are caused by a vascular disease and 97% of dysvascular related amputation is a lower limb. Throughout all age groups, African American males have the highest dysvascular amputation risk.
If a cancerous tumor is present in a limb, an amputation is often recommended. More than a third of cancer related amputations involve the lower limbs. Depending on the particular circumstance, the individual may receive chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments along with the amputation to increase the effectiveness of the limb loss.
A traumatic injury, including car accidents and severe burns, can destroy blood vessels and cause tissue death. In some cases, if an amputation is not performed, an infection can spread through the body and become fatal. While 22% of amputations are trauma related, 68.6% of those amputations are of the upper limbs. Also, males have a much higher risk for a trauma related injury.
Upper limb amputations account for the largest percentage of traumatic amputations. Males are at considerably higher risk for trauma-related amputations. In both males and females, the risk of traumatic amputation increases steadily with age, culminating in the highest risk for those age 85 or older.
Lastly, there are congenital related incidences, which are individuals born without a limb(s). The rate of congenital limb deficiency has remained stable over the last 30 years and is at a steady 26 per 100,000. Upper limb deficiencies account for 58.5% of congenital related incidences.
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