Amputations

There are an estimated three million amputees in the United States. Amputation is defined as the severing of a body part. Every year thousands people in the United States lose a limb. Some amputations, such as losing a fingertip in a work-related accident, can cause minor bleeding, discomfort and inconvenience.

Other amputations, such as an arm or a leg, can lead to significant trauma, blood loss, shock, infection, and death.

What Are The Common Causes Of An Amputation?

An amputation injury usually results from a traumatic injury, such as a work-related accident, motor vehicle accident, motorcycle accident, or vehicle rollover.

What Are the Costs Associated With An Amputation?

Some amputees wear a prosthesis or “artificial limb.” A prosthesis can range in price from $8,000 to $70,000, depending upon the level of amputation. The average prosthesis must be replaced every few years. In addition to the severe physical and financial toll that an amputation causes, an amputation injury also often triggers a severe emotional reaction in the victim. Even those victims who have seemingly overcome an amputation injury often suffer from severe depression after their injuries.

Amputation of a limb may result in either a partial or a complete amputation. Partial amputation results in some limited functional use of the limb. With complete amputation, the entire limb is lost.

With partial or complete amputation, future medical care is important. This may include fitting of a prosthetic device. The prosthesis can be for cosmetic reasons or functional use. The amputee also needs psychological support to deal with the tragic loss of a limb. Phantom limb pain occurs in some cases because the brain continues to send signals to the amputated limb.