In the United States, there are an estimated 1.7 million people living with an amputation and approximately 135,000 new amputations yearly. While 75% of all amputations occur in persons over the age of 65, the peak age for limb loss is between 41 and 70. Also, males have a higher amputation rate than females. There are many reasons for an amputation, including vascular disease (circulation problems), cancer, trauma, and congenital defects (occuring at birth).

Diagnosis of traumatic amputation is an easy one to make when a limb or appendage is completely severed; however, when partial amputation occurs, it must be determined how much of the affected appendage can be salvaged. This is crucial as salvaging a limb or appendage can mean the difference in how much function the victim will have in the future. Any type of traumatic amputation begins with careful monitoring of the victim’s vital signs for signs of shock. Profuse bleeding can occur and can lead to hypovolemic shock if not treated promptly. Hypovolemic shock refers to shock caused by a sudden loss of blood volume.

In traumatic amputation, the level of amputation is determined by the level of injury, or which parts of the body were affected by the injury. Surgeons adhere to the maxim that preservation of limb length and joint function is of utmost importance in order for the victim to fit and use a prosthesis. The energy required to use a limb increases as the limb becomes shorter.

Terminology used by professionals in discussing amputation can be confusing for patients. This section will address some of the terms used in describing the anatomy of amputation.

Amputation can involve virtually any part of the body:

Upper extremity-arms, hands, and fingers

Lower extremities-legs, feet, and toes

Other-ears, nose, eyelids, genitalia

Upper limb amputations total more than 68% of amputations caused by trauma.

If you, or someone you love, must undergo amputation due to trauma, you will likely have many questions. The following section will explain what to expect prior to surgery and what will happen during surgery itself.

Generally, hospital stays range from days to two weeks, depending on the circumstances mentioned. Almost immediately after surgery, you will be encourage to start moving your stump to promote circulation of the area. Physical therapy and rehabilitation will usually be commenced within 48 hours of surgery, as studies have shown that early rehabilitation promotes healing. Early rehabilitation also promotes acceptance of the amputation.

Amputation Rehabilitation is crucial to assist the patient in regaining as much function as possible. Ideally, rehabilitation should begin before amputation surgery. Physiotherapists can show the patient the exercises that will be needed after surgery to begin rehabilitation. Additionally, a prosthetist (someone who makes prosthetics) may see the patient to discuss use of a prosthetic device after surgery (amputation). This may not be possible if the amputation is done on an emergency basis.

Amputation of a limb or an appendage is often such an overwhelming experience for the patient, and requires so much learning in so short a period of time, that nutritional counselling may be overlooked or underplayed.

In the initial amputation phase, many patients lose weight due to surgery and the concomitant loss of appetite associated with trauma of this kind. Eventually, as healing takes place, the patient’s appetite returns.

The most common and important piece of equipment to a person with an amputation is their prosthetic device. An artificial limb should be comfortable, functional, and allow the individual to be more mobile and independent. A physical therapist is needed to train the patient for use of the prosthetic device, making sure they get the most out of it. The type of prosthetic assigned to an amputee will largely depend on their functional and lifestyle needs.

There are many health issues that can affect amputees both in the early days of recovery and further down the road. Many of these issues can be managed proactively, before they occur. Health care professionals need to be vigilant for such complications. In addition, the patient needs to be aware of the potential for these complications to occur and when to notify their physician. The following outlines some of the potential health issues that may affect patients and some preventative measures which can be undertaken to avoid them.

Immediately following surgery, the patient may receive pain medication depending on the severity of pain he or she is experiencing. Since some pain medications increase bleeding, the patient has to be sure they take only what was recommended or prescribes. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent  to prevent infection in the stump.