Your doctor will review the possible complications. These may include:
Factors that may increase your risk of complications include:
Discuss these risks with your doctor before surgery.
If your surgery is planned, your doctor will review the surgery and what to expect. He will talk to you about how you are going to move after surgery. You may need a prosthesis (artificial limb), walker, crutches, wheelchair, or a combination of these.
At your appointment before your surgery, your doctor may:
You should ask your doctor questions like:
Before surgery, you may:
General anesthesia or regional anesthesia will be used. General anesthesia will block pain and keep you asleep during surgery. It is given through an IV (needle) in your hand or arm. Regional anesthesia will numb your leg and the surrounding area. You may also receive IV sedation.
Once you are asleep and no longer feeling pain, a breathing tube will be placed if you have general anesthesia. The doctor will make a cut in the skin below the knee. The muscles will be separated and blood vessels clamped. A special saw will be used to cut through the bone. The muscles will be sewn and shaped so that a stump is formed to cushion the bone. Nerves will be separated and placed so that they do not cause pain. Blood vessels will be tied off. The skin will be closed over the muscles, forming the stump. Drains may be inserted into the stump to drain blood for the first few days. A dressing and compression stocking will be placed over the stump.
You will be taken to the recovery room for observation. If all is well, your breathing tube will be removed. You will be transferred to your hospital room for recovery.
Several hours (depending on your health and the reason for the surgery)
During surgery, you will not feel pain. After surgery, you will be given pain medicine. You may feel phantom pain . If you do, tell your doctor.
5-14 days (Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications occur.)
While in the hospital, you may be asked to move your stump often. This will allow circulation and prevent contractures (stiffening causing loss of joint movement).
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
http://www.aofas.org
Amputee Coalition of America
http://www.amputee-coalition.org/Index.html
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
References:
Amputation. Society for Vascular Surgery website. Available at: http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Amputation.html. Accessed September 14, 2009.
Badash M. Amputation, above-the-knee. EBSCO Health Library. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15&topicID=81. Last reviewed November 2008. Last updated July 21, 2009. Accessed September 14, 2009.
Leg amputation. Merck Manual website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mkgr/mmg/sec3/ch29/ch29e.jsp. Accessed September 14, 2009.
Leg amputation rehabilitation. Merck Manual website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec22/ch336/ch336i.html. Accessed September 14, 2009.
Professional Guide to Diseases. 9th ed. Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Ronald Nath, MD
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.
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