TYPES OF AMPUTATION

Amputation can be defined as the procedure by which a part of the human body requires to be removed. Amputation may be done in a particular person because he may have suffered disfigurement or injuries as a result of some accident or injury.

Amputation can be done on the lower part of the body as well as the upper part of the body.

LOWER BODY AMPUTATIONS

The amputations that can be done from the lower part of the body are

1. Foot amputations

Foot amputation is the procedure by which one or more toes of a person are removed. This is done in cases where a person has developed injuries due to frostbites.

Foot amputation can cause difficulty in walking. This also will lead to problems related to maintaining one’s balance.

2. Ankle disarticulation

The procedure used for the complete removal of an ankle of a person is known as ankle disarticulation. Even though the ankle will be removed, the person will be able to move around.

3. Below-Knee amputation

The type of amputation involves the removal of the area which lies in between the knee and the ankle. Even though the knee is retained completely, the person will find it difficult to maintain his balance as his weight is completely borne by the stump.

4. Knee-Bearing amputation

In knee-bearing amputation, the lower leg of the person, including his ankle, is removed completely. Even though the person will have the stump to bear his weight, prosthetic devices cannot be created for it.

5. Above Knee amputation

The amputation which is performed on the thigh of a person is known as above knee amputation. In this case, the person will not be able to bear his entire weight on the stump. But the person will be able to sit even in this condition.

5. Hip Disarticulation

The process of removing the leg bone completely is generally known as hip disarticulation. But the surgeons usually do not remove the complete leg bone. The upper part of the femur or the thigh bone will be left for stability.

UPPER BODY AMPUTATIONS

The amputations that can be done from the upper part of the body are:

1. Amputation of the digits

One or more of the fingers are amputated from the hand. If more than one finger is amputated, then the person must undergo certain surgical procedures for the reconstruction of muscles so that he does not lose his grasping capability.

2. Metacarpal Amputation

The entire hand is amputated, but the wrist of the person will remain intact. The person will lose his grabbing capability.

3. Wrist Disarticulation

The hand of a person is removed at the point of wrist joint. They are then replaced with plastic sockets which will act as wrists.

4. Forearm amputation

The length of the stump decreases once the forearm of a person is removed surgically.

5. Elbow disarticulation

The entire forearm from the elbow joint is completely removed. Only a stump in the shape of a bulb is left to maintain the weight.

6. Above-elbow disarticulation

In this case, the arm above the elbow is removed completely.

Two other types of upper body amputations are forequarter amputation and shoulder disarticulation. These procedures are done in a very similar way to that of the amputation of hip.