Amputation FAQs

1. What is traumatic amputation?

2. Can a partially amputated body part be reattached?

3. Why are amputations performed?

4. What are the risks associated with amputation?

5. What causes limb loss?

6. Who is most at risk for amputation?

7. Is amputation the likely treatment for patients with bone cancer?

8. What happens after an amputation?

9. What are some of the conditions that could lead to amputation?

1. What is traumatic amputation?
Traumatic amputation is the loss of a body part - usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg - that occurs as the result of an accident or trauma. 

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2. Can a partially amputated body part be reattached?
In a partial amputation, some soft-tissue connection remains. Depending on the severity of the injury, the partially severed extremity may or may not be able to be reattached. 

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3. Why are amputations performed?
Amputation is performed for the following reasons: to remove tissue that no longer has an adequate blood supply; to remove malignant tumors; and/or because of severe trauma to the body part.

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4. What are the risks associated with amputation?
Amputation is major surgery, therefore, there are various complications associated with amputation of a body part, such as bleeding, shock and infection. All the risks associated with the administration of anesthesia exist, along with the possibility of heavy blood loss and the development of blood clots.

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5. What causes limb loss?
Limb loss can occur due to trauma, infection, diabetes, vascular disease, cancer and other diseases. More than 90% of amputations performed in the United States are due to circulatory complications of diabetes. 

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6. Who is most at risk for amputation?
Workers in railroads, mines, factories, farms and restaurants are at risk. Those who work regularly with mechanical power presses, power press brakes, powered and non-powered conveyors, printing presses, roll-forming and roll-bending machines, food slicers, meat grinders, meat-cutting saw bands, drill presses, milling machines, shears, grinders and slitters are also at risk for amputation.

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7. Is amputation the likely treatment for patients with bone cancer?
Surgery is often the primary treatment. Although amputation of a limb is sometimes necessary, pre- or post-operative chemotherapy has made limb-sparing surgery possible in most cases. When appropriate, surgeons avoid amputation by removing only the cancerous section of the bone and replacing it with an artificial device called an endoprosthesis.

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8. What happens after an amputation?
After amputation, medication is prescribed for pain, and patients are treated with antibiotics to discourage infection. The stump is moved often to encourage good circulation. In addition, physical therapy and rehabilitation are started as soon as possible, usually within 48 hours.

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9. What are some of the conditions that could lead to amputation?

• Arterial embolism - A blood clot arising from another location that blocks an artery.
• Buerger's disease - An episodic disease that causes inflammation and blockage of the veins and arteries of the limbs. It tends to be present almost exclusively on men under age 40 who smoke, and may require amputation of the hand or foot.
• Diabetes mellitus - A disease in which insufficient insulin is made by the body to metabolize sugars.
• Raynaud's disease - A disease found mainly in young women that causes decreased circulation to the hands and feet. Its cause is unknown.

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For more information, please see our Amputation Page

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