Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Amputation—General Overview

by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN
Definition

An amputation is a surgery to remove a body part. It is removed because of disease or damage.

Reasons for Procedure

An amputation is typically done for one of the following reasons:

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have an amputation, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Complications of anesthesia
  • Infection
  • Phantom limb pain —feeling pain in amputated limb area
  • Phantom sensation—feeling that amputated limb is still there
  • Poor healing at amputation site, resulting in the need for a higher level of amputation
  • Skin breakdown
  • Swelling at surgical site

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Certain medicines (eg, steroids)
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Infection
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Prolonged immobility
  • Smoking or lung disease
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure

Your amputation may be planned. In this case, your doctor will review with you how it is done and what to expect. An emergency amputation may need to be done. This can happen because of trauma or life-threatening infection. In this case, you may not have this preparation.

Depending on the injury and location, your doctor may do some of the following before your surgery:

  • Blood tests
  • Bone scan to check for infection
  • CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • Heart evaluation
  • MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • Preoperative antibiotics
  • Tests to evaluate blood flow in the part of the body that is being amputated
  • Tissue cultures
  • X-rays —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones

Leading up to your surgery:

  • Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
  • Arrange for help at home after your surgery.
  • Follow instructions for eating before surgery—usually nothing after midnight.
  • You may be asked to use an antibacterial soap the morning of your surgery.
Anesthesia

This will depend on the body part operated on. You may receive:

Description of Procedure

An incision will be made into the skin of the affected limb or limb part. If needed, the muscles will also be cut. Blood vessels will be tied off or sealed to prevent bleeding. The bone will then be cut through. The diseased or damaged body part will be removed.

Muscle will be pulled over the bone. It will be sutured in place there. The remaining skin will be pulled over the muscle. The skin will be sewn to form a stump. A sterile dressing will be placed over the incision.

If severe infection is involved, the incision may be left open to heal.

How Long Will It Take?

This procedure can take 20 minutes to several hours. The length will depend on the type of amputation being done.

How Much Will It Hurt?

During the surgery, anesthesia will block any pain. After surgery, you will feel pain as you begin to heal. Your doctor will give a medicine to help manage pain. You may feel phantom pain, which is a feeling of pain in the amputated portion of the limb that is no longer present. If you do, tell your doctor so it can be treated.

Average Hospital Stay

Your hospital stay will depend on the type of amputation you had. Typically: Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.

  • Finger amputation: 0-1 day
  • Foot or toe amputation: 2-7 days
  • Leg amputation: 2 days to 2 weeks
  • Upper extremity: 7-12 days
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital

After surgery, you can expect some of the following:

  • Physical therapy will begin within a day or two of surgery. It will focus on improving strength and mobility.
  • The area involved will be elevated. This will decrease swelling.
  • You may be given certain medicines. This may include antibiotics or blood thinners.
  • You may wear a cast or special shoe for toe/foot amputations.
  • You will be encouraged to get up and walk as soon as possible.
  • You will be fitted with a prosthesis as soon as your wound has healed.
  • Your limb will be dressed in bulky dressing, elastic bandage, or cast.
At Home

Stitches will be removed within a few weeks of surgery. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Follow the instructions for keeping your incision clean .
  • If you smoke, quit . Smoking can interfere with healing.
  • Attend follow up appointments with your doctor. They will make sure you are healing well.
  • Check with your doctor about which medicines to take at home.
  • Counseling may be recommended for the emotional trauma of an amputation.
  • Follow instructions on how to care for your prosthesis.

Also, ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs: In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Increasing or excessive pain
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision sites
  • Severe nausea and vomiting
  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Last reviewed: December 2010 by Robert E. Leach, MD.

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