(Surgical Removal of an Extremity or Limb) What is amputation?
Amputation is a surgical procedure that involves removal of an
extremity or limb (leg or arm) or a part of a limb (such as a
toe, finger, foot, or hand), usually as a result of injury,
disease, infection, or surgery (to remove tumors from bones and
muscles). Amputation of the leg (above and below-knee) is the
most common type of amputation procedure performed. Why are
amputations done? The most common reason for an amputation is
poor circulation. The lack of circulation is caused by narrowing
of or damage to the arteries (also known as peripheral arterial
disease). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which most
frequently occurs in persons between the ages of 50 to 75 years,
usually results from diabetes or atherosclerosis (a buildup of
plaque inside the artery wall). When the blood vessels become
damaged and the blood flow is impaired to the extremities, the
tissue starts to die and may become infected. Advanced
peripheral arterial disease is gene