Why is this procedure done?
This surgery is done if you have health problems such as: ‚
- Problems with blood flow in a body part
- Arm, hand, foot, or leg suffered a crush or a blast wound that cannot be repaired
- Tumor in your leg or arm
- Abnormal mass of nerve tissue
- Harm to the skin caused by cold. This is called hypothermia.
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What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may:
- Order lab tests or other tests.
- Have you measured for an artificial limb. This is called a prosthesis.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. When you are asleep, the doctors will put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor will cut off the affected limb. If there is no infection, the doctor will sew your cut. If you have infection at the site, your doctor will leave the wound open. Next, the staff will put a sterile bandage or dressing on your wound.
- Talk to your doctor about how long your surgery should take.
What happens after the procedure?
Expect to stay in the hospital for 5 to 14 days. Your wound may heal in about 4 to 8 weeks. You may need rehab for weeks. This will help you learn how to use your prosthesis. You may have pain in the amputated arm or leg, called phantom pain. Talk to your doctor or therapist about things you can do to manage the pain. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Do your exercises as ordered by your physical therapist. These will help you get stronger. They will make it easier to wear and use your prosthesis.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
You may have to make some lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about what is needed. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bruising
- Poor wound healing
- Infection
- Death of the skin flaps. This is necrosis.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain that you cannot control with the drugs you have been given
- Increased stump swelling
- Numbness or tingling feeling in the rest of your arm or leg
- Low mood
- Other new signs or if you have questions about your care
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/amputation/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Society of Vascular Surgery ‚
http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/Amputation.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚