Definition:
Leg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by surgery, or they occur by accident or trauma to the body.
Alternative Names:
Amputation - foot; Amputation - leg; Trans-metatarsal amputation; Below knee amputation; BK amputation; Above knee amputation; AK amputation; Trans-femoral amputation; Trans-tibial amputation
Description:
Why the Procedure Is Performed:
Reasons for having an amputation of a lower limb are: - Severe trauma to the limb that is caused by an accident
- Poor blood flow to the limb
- Infections that do not go away or become worse and cannot be controlled or healed
- Tumors of the lower limb
- Severe burns or severe frostbite
- Wounds that do not heal
References:
Heck RK. General principles of amputations. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 9.
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