Sequelae of amputation

The human body is strong yet fragile, and it is easy to be injured by various unexpected situations. In severe cases, amputation may be required to save one's life. Amputation is a huge and complex operation. It is very likely that due to improper surgical operation or incorrect post-operative care of the patient, various problems will be left behind, affecting the patient's rapid recovery. The sequelae caused by amputation will also affect the patient's normal life.

According to clinical reports, more than 50% of amputation patients experience phantom limb pain after surgery. The pain is often persistent, especially at night. However, there is still no effective means to relieve phantom limb pain. In recent years, basic medical and clinical medical research has preliminarily shown that phantom limb pain is closely related to "cortical reorganization", providing new ideas for the clinical relief of phantom limb pain. As medical workers, we should guide patients to look at their residual limbs and accept the reality of amputation. Use relaxation therapy and other psychological treatment methods to gradually eliminate the phantom limb sensation. For patients with long-term phantom limb pain, the stump can be tapped lightly, or physical therapy, blockade, or nerve blockade can be used to eliminate phantom limb pain.

Amputation is divided into minor amputation and major amputation. Minor amputation refers to open local amputation and limited removal of tissue through partial vascular reconstruction or limb correction while clearing infected and necrotic tissue.

Major amputations are when the severity of the disease state cannot be alleviated by revascularization, medical management, or minor amputations. Major amputation is divided into low amputation and high amputation. Low amputation is generally performed 10 cm below the knee, while high amputation requires amputation from the base of the thigh. The mortality rate of patients after high amputation is more than 50% within two years and more than 80% within five years. The above survival rates are the survival rates for amputations caused by osteosarcoma and bone cancer. The survival rate of amputations caused by normal reasons (such as accidents, car accidents, etc.) is basically the same as that of normal people.