Leg Amputation

Posted On: 04-22-2015

What is Leg Amputation?

During leg amputation, the leg is surgically removed.

Also Known As:

Leg surgery

Conditions Treated with Leg Amputation:

The leg is amputated due to injury or serious disease. Some of the conditions that may be treated with leg amputation include osteomyelitis, bone cancer, gangrene, or atherosclerosis that is causing gangrene. A severe deformity or injury to muscles, bones, nerves, and arteries can also result in leg amputation.

Non-Surgical or Other Surgical Alternatives to Leg Amputation:

There are no comparable non-surgical or surgical alternatives to leg amputation.

Anesthesia with Leg Amputation:

Leg amputation is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure.

Potential Complications from Leg Amputation:

Potential complications of leg amputation include bleeding, infection, a negative reaction to the anesthesia and death. Some patients also suffer from a stroke, heart attack, phantom limb pain, and blood clotting as a result of the procedure.

Prognosis after Leg Amputation:

The prognosis for a positive end result following leg amputation is fair. About one in five to one in ten patients afflicted with atherosclerosis dies in the hospital following an amputation.

Recovery from Leg Amputation:

It takes four to eight weeks for the wound to heal following leg amputation. However, the adjustment to living without a limb or with a prosthetic limb takes an indefinite amount of time.