Amputation

Synonyms

Dismember; Limb loss

Definition

Significant trauma to a limb can result in soft tissue, neurovascular, and bony injury so severe that limb salvage may not be possible. This degree of injury can necessitate surgical amputation to prevent a life-threatening infection. Amputations are characterized by their site: transhumeral and transradial in the upper limb and transfemoral and transtibial in the lower limb. Lower limb amputations are often referred to as AKAs and BKAs (above- and below-knee amputations). Management of amputation is categorized into preprosthetic training and post-prosthetic training.

Preprosthetic training involves pain management, wound care, maintenance of joint motion, strengthening, mobility, and ADLs. Following amputation, the patient is likely to have nociceptive pain at the surgical site. This type of pain often requires opiates initially, but can often be tapered to acetaminophen or ibuprofen as the site heals. Desensitization techniques can be used to...