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Amputation is surgery to remove all or part of a body appendage, usually a limb or extremity (an arm, leg, hand or foot). You might need surgery to amputate a body part if it’s too sick or injured to save and it endangers other parts. You might also need surgery if you lose a body part in a traumatic accident.
Amputation is the surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity such as an arm, leg, foot, hand, toe, or finger. About 1.8 million Americans are living with amputations.
- Overview
- What are the different types of amputations?
- Why is amputation sometimes necessary?
- Amputation statistics
- How amputations affect the body
- Amputation healing time and recovery tips
- Where do amputated limbs go?
- Takeaway
An amputation is a removal of all or a portion of a limb. A doctor may recommend this surgery approach due to chronic disease or a traumatic injury.
Advancements in preventive techniques have meant the rates of amputations overall have decreased in the United States, according to 2020 research. However, amputations related to chronic conditions like diabetes have remained the same or sometimes higher.
Doctors typically divide amputation types first into upper amputations and lower amputations. Upper amputations involve the fingers, wrist, or arm. Lower amputations involve the toes, ankle, or leg.
Ideally, if you need an amputation, a doctor will speak with you about the need for a certain location and prosthetic options.
Amputations related to blood flow conditions
Chronic disease and infection can lead to interrupted blood flow that jeopardizes a limb. When this is the case, a doctor may recommend amputation to preserve as much of the limb as possible. Chronic conditions are a leading cause of lower extremity amputations. The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) estimates that 93.4 percent of all lower extremity amputations are related to vascular disease. This includes conditions such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease. The most common lower extremity amputations related to blood flow conditions are: •toe (33.2 percent) •transtibial (28.2 percent) •transfemoral (26.1 percent) •foot amputations (10.6 percent) Amputations due to chronic disease are associated with 5-year mortality rates that are higher than some cancer types. This is because the need for amputation in many instances can indicate a person’s medical condition or overall health is worsening. Enhancing a person’s healthcare and overall health are excellent goals after amputation.
Cancer-related amputations
Cancer-related amputation accounts for 0.8 percent of total amputations. This is often due to bone cancer or cancer that has metastasized to the bone. However, cancer is the most common amputation cause for those between the ages of 10 and 20.
Traumatic amputations
Injuries and trauma can lead to amputations. An estimated 5.8 percent of lower limb amputations are related to trauma. This can include injuries from car accidents and workplace-related accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 6,200 work-related amputations happened in the United States in 2018. More than 58 percent of these involved using some type of machinery, particularly metal and woodworking machinery.
Although you’ve already read some statistics related to amputation, here are a few more to consider from the Amputee Coalition, a nonprofit organization for amputees. They illustrate that if you or a loved one requires an amputation, you are not alone.
In the United States:
•An estimated 2.1 million people are living with limb loss.
•More than 507 people lose a limb each day.
•An estimated 3.6 million people are projected to be living with limb loss by 2050.
•The most common age range for amputations is 45 to 64 (46 percent of Americans). The second most common range is 65 to 84 (36 percent of Americans).
Because amputation removes a portion of the body that was naturally present, it’s easy to wonder how this affects your overall health. There are undeniably effects that can occur due to amputation. It’s important to work with your doctor and physical therapist to minimize these effects whenever possible.
Examples include:
•changes in your center of gravity and balance
•increased risk of arthritis in your remaining limb (if applicable) because it often has to increase its workload
•back pain due to changes in the body’s positioning for lower limb amputees
Often, the effects of an amputation are related to where it is and your overall health.
Amputation healing times can vary by the event that caused the amputation and the amputation site.
For example, amputations due to chronic conditions such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease may take longer to heal. Blood flow and wound healing are already impaired by these conditions, which may extend recovery times.
A small 2018 study suggests it likely takes less time to recover from a toe amputation than a leg amputation. A surgeon should help you determine your expected recovery period.
Some tips to help the recovery process:
•Follow wound care instructions carefully. Most surgical incision sites should be kept clean and dry. Notify your doctor if you experience significant drainage or infection signs.
•Take medications such as antibiotics as prescribed. This can help prevent surgical site infections.
If you are wondering where amputated limbs go, you aren’t alone. Especially if you’re about to undergo an amputation, it’s fairly common to ask questions about how and where these limbs are disposed of.
A 2019 study described four potential destinations for your limb after the procedure. The limb could be:
•sent to a biohazard crematoria where it is destroyed
•donated to a medical college for use in dissection
•sent to a pathologist for testing, such as for cancer cells or infection
•returned to you if you have a proven religious need to retain the limb
Amputations can occur for many reasons, but most are related to chronic medical conditions that affect blood flow. If you do require an amputation, your surgeon should explain the type and recovery expectations to you before the procedure.
There are many support groups available for those who’ve had an amputation. Many of them offer free online or in-person resources.
- Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
General Principles of Amputation Surgery. Chapter Two, "General Principles of Amputation Surgery", by Douglas G. Smith, MD, from the Atlas of Amputation and Limb Deficiencies (1). Available with permission from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arms and legs, hands and feet: These unique and wonderful extensions of our bodies allow ...
Amputation. Amputation is the loss or removal of a body part such as a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm or leg. It can be a life changing experience affecting your ability to move, work, interact with others and maintain your independence. Continuing pain, phantom limb phenomena and emotional trauma can complicate recovery.
A rehabilitation psychologist helps you with grief and loss associated with removal of a limb, and any associated mental health crises including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program. Having the support of a dedicated team of experts is essential when recovering from the amputation of ...
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You’ve been told by a healthcare provider that you need to have a leg amputation. This surgery removes part or all your leg. It's done because tissue in the leg is diseased and can’t be healed. Or it may be needed to prevent the disease from spreading farther into your body. The goal of the surgery is to restore your ability to function.
