Tuesday, 3 January 2012
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In certain scenarios, a body part may be removed accidentally due to trauma or deliberately by surgery due to progressive diseases, congenital deformities, or severe incapacitating injuries. This is called amputation.
Surgical Amputation
Amputation is used to control symptoms, and improve function and a person’s quality of life. This is often made necessary due to complications of diabetes, gangrene, crushing injuries, burns, and malignancies. Of all these causes, diabetes accounts for most amputations of the lower limbs because of poor circulation which may lead to an infection that may spread rapidly.
The goal of the surgery is centered on preservation of the extremity as possible, especially the joints like the knees and elbows. Smaller segments such as the fingers and toes cause minor disruptions with the person’s activities. Prosthesis can be fitted to almost any level of amputation.
Complications
For each surgery, there is always a risk for infection. But the risk is higher after traumatic severance because of a contaminated wound. Apart from that, there is also a potential for massive bleeding because of the severed blood vessels, as well as join contractures. The amputee must be monitored for these complications especially during the early postoperative phase.
Care after Amputation
The primary concern after surgery is wound healing. The remaining limb must be handled carefully to prevent complications from arising. A phantom limb or the sensation of the presence of the amputated limb may be felt. Majority of these sensations are painful and are thought to be caused by severed nerve endings that send unusual signals to the brain that are perceived as pain.
Persons who undergo amputation need support as they grieve with the loss. They may feel devastated even if they were informed of the beforehand. Some may also experience denial and withdrawal. Thus, they should be allocated time to work through their feelings on their body image. At this point, families and friends are very necessary to help the person resolve with the grieving, promote his body image, accept the loss, and care for the residual limb independently. As with any disability, the affected individual should be encouraged to maintain a positive outlook in life and make the most out of the existing capabilities.
Important Information on Amputation
Surgical Amputation
Amputation is used to control symptoms, and improve function and a person’s quality of life. This is often made necessary due to complications of diabetes, gangrene, crushing injuries, burns, and malignancies. Of all these causes, diabetes accounts for most amputations of the lower limbs because of poor circulation which may lead to an infection that may spread rapidly.
The goal of the surgery is centered on preservation of the extremity as possible, especially the joints like the knees and elbows. Smaller segments such as the fingers and toes cause minor disruptions with the person’s activities. Prosthesis can be fitted to almost any level of amputation.
Complications
For each surgery, there is always a risk for infection. But the risk is higher after traumatic severance because of a contaminated wound. Apart from that, there is also a potential for massive bleeding because of the severed blood vessels, as well as join contractures. The amputee must be monitored for these complications especially during the early postoperative phase.
Care after Amputation
The primary concern after surgery is wound healing. The remaining limb must be handled carefully to prevent complications from arising. A phantom limb or the sensation of the presence of the amputated limb may be felt. Majority of these sensations are painful and are thought to be caused by severed nerve endings that send unusual signals to the brain that are perceived as pain.
Persons who undergo amputation need support as they grieve with the loss. They may feel devastated even if they were informed of the beforehand. Some may also experience denial and withdrawal. Thus, they should be allocated time to work through their feelings on their body image. At this point, families and friends are very necessary to help the person resolve with the grieving, promote his body image, accept the loss, and care for the residual limb independently. As with any disability, the affected individual should be encouraged to maintain a positive outlook in life and make the most out of the existing capabilities.
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