Leg or foot amputation

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

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.

Risks of Leg or foot amputation

Risks for any surgery are:

• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Breathing problems
• Bleeding

Risks for this surgery are:

• A feeling that the limb is still there. This is called phantom sensation. Sometimes this feeling can be painful. That is called phantom pain.
• The joint closest to the part that is amputated loses its range of motion, making it hard to move. This is called joint contracture.
• Infection of the skin or bone.
• The amputation wound does not heal properly.

Review Date: 12/10/2010
Reviewed By: 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.

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