LEVELS OF AMPUTATION

REASONS FOR AMPUTATION

The most common causes for a leg amputation

An amputation is the severing of a bone in healthy tissue. When a body part is severed in a joint, one also speaks of disarticulation. An amputation is required when a diseased body part is not expected to heal and the patient’s life is at risk as a result. Causes may include circulatory disorders, infections, accidents, cancer or a congenital malformation of the limbs (dysmelia). In some of the above cases, the need for an amputation is known some time in advance. On the other hand, amputations are sometimes necessary entirely unexpectedly, for example due to severe injuries after an accident.

 

Amputation in case of circulatory disorders

What are known as arterial occlusive diseases constitute the most common cause for amputations in the Western world. Aside from other metabolic diseases such as diabetes, what is known as “smoker’s leg” is a very well known and widespread arterial occlusive disease. When blood flow is disrupted, the supply of oxygen to the leg is no longer sufficient. As an affected individual, you often experience pain especially while walking. The leg or foot are colder than the rest of the body and sometimes also bluish in colour. An amputation of the lower limb is performed only if circulation cannot be restored by other vascular surgery procedures. With partial amputations, the goal is also to preserve the rest of the foot or leg.

Amputation in case of diabetic foot syndrome

Diabetic foot syndrome is one of the most common causes for leg or foot amputations. Although more and more people are living to an advanced age and the number of persons with diabetes is thus rising, the number of amputations is changing very little. This is thanks to better care and new possibilities for affected individuals.

Diabetes mellitus generally causes several mutually reinforcing disorders.

  • Reduced perspiration causes the feet and legs to dry out and crack.
  • Sugar deposits in the nerves cause affected individuals to lose feeling so they no longer notice their cracks and wounds.
  • Diabetes mellitus severely impairs wound healing.
  • When sores are subjected to stress, the wounds get bigger. The tissue becomes inflamed and dies off.

There is also a risk that the foot and leg become inflamed more quickly because blood flow is disrupted by diabetes and the cells die off.

Amputation after an accident

The frequency of amputations after accidents – including for example work and traffic accidents – has decreased considerably in the Western world. There are many reasons for this, including higher occupational health and safety standards. Progress in the fields of intensive care and surgery means that nerves, vessels, bones and soft tissue of injured limbs can be restored in many cases, so an amputation as the last resort is unnecessary.

Amputation due to tumours

Amputations due to cancer are relatively rare. Frequently however, there are tumours close to the knee or in the area of the hip. About half of all amputations in the area of the hip and pelvis are due to tumours. The goal of an amputation in such cases is to save the patient’s life by preventing the spread of cancer cells that would affect other parts of the body.

Amputation after an infection

Since Louis Pasteur described the effect of antibiotics in 1877, amputations due to infections have become extremely rare. The high antiseptic standards in medical care and tetanus shots are another reason for the decrease. Nevertheless, you need to be vigilant even with the tiniest injury. Signs of inflammation include reddening, swelling, fever and wound pain.

Also check whether your tetanus protection is still up to date. The Robert Koch Institute recommends a booster every ten years, or sometimes sooner in case of wounds. Please contact your doctor in any case.

Types of Amputation

The term amputation level describes the place where a body part is amputated. It is established by the doctor before the operation and is based on the reason for amputating.

If the surgery is planned, your O&P professional can be included in the consultations beforehand. The O&P professional can provide advice regarding the most suitable amputation level for the subsequent fitting with a prosthesis.

That is because the amputation level is one of the factors that determines the suitable prosthesis. It establishes what parts and joints of your leg have to be replaced by a prosthesis.


 
 

Foot amputation

More than twelve different amputation levels are known in the area of the foot. They range from a toe amputation to a midfoot amputation to an amputation in the area of the tarsus.

Silicone prostheses can be used for a prosthetic fitting.

 
 

Transtibial amputation (lower leg amputation)

With a transtibial amputation, the tibia and fibula are severed.

A prosthetic foot, adapters and connecting elements to the prosthetic socket are needed for the prosthetic fitting.

 
 

Knee disarticulation

Knee disarticulation is when the knee joint is cut, severing the lower leg. The thigh is retained entirely.

A prosthetic foot, knee joint, adapters and connecting elements to the prosthetic socket are needed for the prosthetic fitting.

 
 

Transfemoral amputation (above-knee amputation)

In a transfemoral amputation, the thigh bone is severed.

A prosthetic foot, knee joint, adapters and connecting elements to the prosthetic socket are needed for the prosthetic fitting.

 
 

Hip disarticulation

In hip disarticulation, the amputation is performed in the area of the hip joint. With this type of amputation, the pelvis subsequently has to control the prosthesis.

A prosthetic foot, knee joint, hip joint, adapters and connecting elements to the prosthetic socket are needed for the prosthetic fitting.

 
 

Hemipelvectomy

In case of hemipelvectomy, the entire leg and parts of the pelvis up to the sacrum are amputated. With this type of amputation, the pelvis subsequently has to control the prosthesis.

A prosthetic foot, knee joint, hip joint, adapters and connecting elements to the prosthetic socket are needed for the prosthetic fitting.