How did you become an amputee?

How did you become an amputee?

Amputation can be traumatic (due to an accident or injury) or surgical (due to any of multiple causes such as blood vessel disease, cancer, infection, excessive tissue damage, dysfunction, pain, etc.). A portion of the body could also be missing before birth, called congenital amputation.

What is the most common cause of amputation?

The most common cause of amputations was trauma (117 cases or 54.16%). Diabetes in 57 patients (26.38%) was the second cause of amputation; 23 (10.46%) had severe obstruction of blood vessels with or without gangrene or vascular embolism.

How does amputation affect a person’s life?

The loss of a leg or arm can impact a person’s ability to walk or balance correctly. Daily life will be forever changed. The victim may also experience what is referred to as phantom pain. This affects up to 80% of amputees and it comes in the form of a painful sensation in the area of the missing limb.

Does being an amputee shorten your life?

Mortality following amputation ranges from 13 to 40% in 1 year, 35–65% in 3 years, and 39–80% in 5 years, being worse than most malignancies. 7 Therefore, amputation-free survival is important in assessing the management of diabetic foot problems.

Can you refuse amputation?

Refusal of amputation can be for religious and cultural reasons but is also strongly influenced by patients’ knowledge that following amputation the chance of getting a quality prosthesis in their country is slim.

Does amputation qualify for disability?

Individuals living with limb loss/limb deficiency/amputation have permanent disabilities and should be included under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Why do amputees have a shorter lifespan?

Patients with renal disease, increased age and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have exhibited overall higher mortality rates after amputation, demonstrating that patients’ health status heavily influences their outcome. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in these individuals.

How do you survive an amputation?

Care for a partially amputated body part

1. Elevate the injured area.
2. Wrap or cover the injured area with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. Apply pressure if the injured area is bleeding.
3. Gently splint the injured area to prevent movement or further damage.