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Leg or foot amputation - Overview

Alternative Names

Amputation - foot; Amputation - leg; Trans-metatarsal amputation; Below knee amputation; BK amputation; Above knee amputation; AK amputation; Trans-femoral amputation; Trans-tibial amputation

Definition of Leg or foot amputation:

Leg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by surgery, or they occur by accident or trauma to the body.

Why the Procedure Is Performed:

Reasons for having an amputation of a lower limb are:

  • Severe trauma to the limb that is caused by an accident
  • Poor blood flow to the limb
  • Infections that do not go away or become worse and cannot be controlled or healed
  • Tumors of the lower limb
  • Severe burns or severe frostbite
  • Wounds that do not heal
  • Reviewed last on: 11/10/2008
  • C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Heck RK. General principles of amputations. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 9.

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