Preparing yourself for a planned amputation
You may have already known for some time that you are facing an amputation. Even though this knowledge is very hard to bear – you are not on your own in this difficult phase of your life. We want to help you prepare yourself for this step.
Get in contact with experts
Something important you may not know: You can have influence on who will be treating you. Your care team includes everyone who looks after you during and after the amputation. It is important for you to be treated by specialists with plenty of experience with amputees. We provide you with information so you can learn all about the general treatment process and the various tasks of everyone involved.
The most common causes for an 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 my 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 advanced.
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Amputation levels
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 P&O professional can be included in the consultations beforehand. The P&O 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. amputation level also greatly affects where weight can be taken through the residuum (the remaining part of the leg).
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Hip disarticulation or Hemipelvectomy
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.
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.