Amputation
After an amputation, you may be able to have a prosthetic limb fitted.
Prosthetic limbs aren't suitable for everyone who's had an amputation because an extensive course of physiotherapy and rehabilitation is required (see below).
Adjusting to life with a prosthetic limbtakes a considerable amount of energy because you have to compensate for the loss of muscle and bone in the amputated limb.
This is why frail people or those with a serious health condition, such as heart disease , may not be suitable for a prosthetic limb.
If you're able to have a prosthetic limb, the type of limb that's recommended for you will depend on:
If it's thought that you would find it difficult to withstand the strain of using a prosthetic limb, a purely cosmetic limb may be recommended. This is a limb that looks like a real limb, but can't be used.
It'spossible to have a prosthetic limb that's both physically realistic and functional, but there may have to be an element of compromise between the two.
If a prosthetic limb is suitable for you, you'll begin a programme of activities while still in hospital to prepare for the prosthetic.
Before a prosthetic limb is fitted, the skin covering your stump may be made less sensitive (known as desensitisation). This will make the prosthetic more comfortable to wear.
Skin desensitisation involves the following steps:
Your physiotherapist will teach you a range of exercises to strengthen the muscles in your remaining limb and improve your general energy levels, so you're able to cope better with the demands of an artificial limb.
Depending on what's available in your local area, it canbe several months before you get your first appointment with a prosthetist (specialist in prosthetic limbs).
Information about amputation, including why and how it's carried out, recovery and rehabilitation, prosthetics, stump care and possible complications.
An amputation may be needed if: you have a severe infection in your limb your limb has been affected by gangrene (often as a result of peripheral arterial disease) there's serious trauma to your
Unless you need to have anemergency amputation, you'll be fully assessed before surgery to identify themost suitable type of amputation and any factors that may affect your rehabilitation. The assess
Amputations can be carried outunder general anaesthetic (where you're unconscious)or using an epidural anaesthetic (which numbs the lower half of the body). Once the limb has been removed, a number o
After surgery, you'll usually be given oxygen through a mask and fluids through a drip for the first few days while you recover on the ward. A small flexible tube (a urinary catheter ) may be placed
After an amputation, you may be able to have a prosthetic limb fitted. Prosthetic limbs aren't suitable for everyone who's had an amputation because an extensive course of physiotherapy and rehabili
It's very important to keep the skin on the surface of your stump clean to reduce the risk of it becoming irritated or infected. Gently wash your stump at least once a day (more frequently in hot wea
The loss of a limb can have a considerable psychological impact. Many people who've had an amputation report feeling emotions such as grief and bereavement, similar to experiencing the death of a love
Being told you need to have a limb amputated can be a devastating and frightening experience. Adjusting to life after an amputation can be challenging, but many people enjoy a good quality of life onc