Michael Padway & Associates Amputation Lawyers
Serving Washington, D.C.

You are not alone. Many people have lost limbs and survived. You will, too, and we will help you through the process.

Losing a limb can be compared to losing a spouse or a child. The trauma is deep and multi-layered. Physical rehabilitation alone is not sufficient to help people adjust to the loss.

Amputation Surgery

The goal of amputation surgery following this traumatic injury will be first to save your life, and second to form a residual limb to which prosthesis can be fitted successfully. The surgeon will try to save as much of your limb as possible. For victims of trauma, such as landmine explosions, the doctor can determine during surgery how much damage has been done by infection, shrapnel, or other debris. The surgeon may have to amputate higher than originally planned.

It is normal to have very strong pain after your amputation surgery because the surgeon has cut through skin, muscles, nerves and bone. This kind of pain will lessen in time.

The doctor may not sew up the wound during the surgery because of the risk of infection. You will have a large bandage on the residual limb to protect it and to keep your wound clean. After a few days, a doctor may check your wound, and, if there is no infection, sew up the wound. Sometimes, the doctor will put a tube in the wound to help drain excess fluid. The tube will be removed after a few days.

The next step will be to begin bandaging the residual limb tightly. Wrapping is done to help shape the limb so that prosthesis will fit well. A doctor, nurse or physical therapist will show you the proper way to wrap the limb.

Your limb will be swollen after amputation surgery. Swelling can cause pain and limit movement, so it is very important to keep the swelling down. This can be done by keeping your residual limb raised higher than the level of your heart.

The first time you see your body after the surgery will be very disturbing. You may be shocked to look down and see that a part of your body is missing. To feel this way is completely normal. Keep in mind that losing a limb is not losing your life. Amputation is awful, but you will survive.

Recovering from Limb Loss Surgery

The sooner you get up and start moving around, the faster you will recover. However, recovery is never a fast process. Each step will be difficult: sitting up in bed, then sitting in a wheelchair, standing, then using crutches. But each step will bring you closer to doing what you want to do again. Take one day at a time.

It is important to keep your wound clean. Usually, nurses in the hospital are responsible for wound care. Ask questions so that you understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.

Preventing “contractures” is also very important. A contracture is when a joint has become “stuck” in one position. After an amputation, the muscles in and around the residual limb shorten. This pulls your joint into a bent position. If it is left like this for long periods of time, it will become difficult to straighten, or even become permanently stuck. A contracture will make it very difficult or even impossible to use prosthesis.

Do exercises to become stronger and stay flexible, and learn to walk with crutches. A physical therapist (if one is available) will show you exercises and how to walk with crutches.

Additional surgery

Additional surgery may be necessary:

• If your residual limb becomes severely infected
• If there is bony overgrowth at the end of the residual limb which causes pressure and pain, or
• If the first operation was not done properly.

Obviously, no one wants more surgery, but it may be necessary for your overall health, and, if it will help you function better, it is something to consider.

For more information on Limb Loss, visit our Injury Resources section