Pocketbook of physiotherapy management in amputation

Amputation is defined as the method of severing a part
of the body in order to save the rest of the body. Usually,
the decision to amputate is often a last option considered
by the surgeon as well as the patient. The patient facing
amputation usually undergoes series of other medical
and surgical interventions in an attempt to save the
affected limb before going for amputation procedure;
hence the decision to amputate comes at the end.
Amputation is the most devastating and traumatic
experience faced by the patient and his family. The
thought of missing a part of the body is itself very
frightening. Then think when a part of the body is
removed, what will be the condition of the person who
has undergone such an experience. There is great
psychological impact on the patient before and after the
surgery. The adaptation by the patient and his family
facing such invasive surgery is challenging and takes
months or years to recover. Lower limb amputations
are much more frequent than the upper limb
amputations. Lower limb amputation results in
ambulatory problem and needs prosthesis for walking.
However upper limb amputations cause greater
functional loss because the upper limb is used more
functionally and in more diverse ways. Also there is a
greater functional sensory loss when upper limb is
involved. Amputation surgery may be of two types—
open and closed