Amputations Leg amputation

WHAT IS LEG AMPUTATION?

Leg amputation is the surgical procedure where any area from a person’s leg is removed due to some accidents or injuries he has incurred.

CAUSES OF LEG AMPUTATIONS

The major reasons for performing leg amputations include the following:

  • Infections on the foot

  • Injuries of the leg

  • Deformities of the leg

  • Presence of extra digits on the leg

  • Any problems related to the use of carcinogens and

  • Presence of bone infection

TYPES OF LEG AMPUTATIONS

The amputations that are done on the leg may be divided into two categories:

  1. The amputations which are done above the knee and

  2. The amputations which are done below the knee.

AMPUTATIONS DONE ABOVE THE KNEE

The amputations which are done above the knee include the ones mentioned below:

A. Thigh Amputation

Thigh amputation is one of the most painful amputation procedures. The entire thigh of the person is removed. The person will find it difficult to bear his weight on the stump. He will not be able to sit once he has a thigh amputation.

B. Hip Disarticulation

In this case, the leg bone is amputated completely. But the surgeons leave a part of the upper femoral bone for stabilizing the area. They also leave a space so that prosthesis can be attached as a helping aid.

C. Hindquarter amputation

Hindquarter amputation is a procedure where the pelvis and the leg of the same side are removed. One cannot use prosthesis under such cases. Hindquarter amputation is rarely performed.

D. Hemicorporectomy

Hemicorporectomy is a very rare type of surgical procedure which is radical in nature. In this type of surgery, the waist of the person is removed completely so that the entire region below the waist is lost.

AMPUTATIONS DONE BELOW THE KNEE

The amputations which are done below the knee include the ones mentioned below:

1. Digit amputations

Digit amputations are also known as toe amputations or foot amputations. This is the surgical procedure used for the removal of the toes that are suffering from injuries due to frostbites. This can also be used in case if the toes are injured due to some other reasons.

2. Ankle disarticulation

The surgical procedure by which the entire ankle is removed from body of a person is known as ankle disarticulation. But the patient will be able to move around without the help of prosthesis. See Foot amputation.

3. Below Knee amputation

In this type of amputation, the area that is present between the ankle and the knee of a person will be removed surgically. The mobility of the amputee under this situation is completely affected. The major requirement of the amputee in this case will be to undergo an artificial limb transplant.

4. Knee bearing amputation

This type of amputation involves the removal of the leg below the knee joint completely. The person will not be able to bear the weight of his body on the stump without the help of prosthesis.

5. Rotationplasty

Rotationplasty is the procedure by which the foot is rotated around the angle. Then it is attached to the ankle again so that it acts like a knee.