Ohio Amputation Injury Lawyers

Types and severity of amputations

The term amputation refers to the loss of a body part. In less severe cases, an amputation might involve the loss of a finger or toe, while the most severe amputations result in the loss of a person’s full arm or leg. In any of these cases, these injuries are serious and will potentially lead to long-term care requirements. Here are a few types of amputations that may result from an accident.

Upper body amputations

• Partial Hand Amputation: The loss of a portion, but not all, of the hand
• Wrist Disarticulation: Amputation involving the separation of the hand from the lower arm at the wrist joint
• Below-the-Elbow Amputation: The partial loss of the lower arm from a cut through the radius and ulna bones
• Elbow Disarticulation: The removal of the lower arm from the upper arm at the elbow joint
• Above-the-Elbow Amputation: The loss of the lower arm, elbow, and part of the upper arm from a cut through the humerus bone
• Shoulder Disarticulation: The loss of the entire arm at the shoulder joint
• Forequarter Amputation: This is the most severe arm amputation, involving the removal of the entire arm and part of the shoulder, potentially including the clavicle and scapula bones

Lower body amputations

• Partial Foot Amputation: The loss of a portion, but not all, of the foot
• Ankle Disarticulation: The loss of the foot at the ankle joint
• Below-the-Knee Amputation: The loss of the foot and part of the lower leg from a cut through the tibia and fibula bones
• Knee Disarticulation: The loss of the lower leg at the knee joint
• Above-the-Knee Amputation: The loss of the lower leg, knee, and part of the upper leg resulting from a cut through the femur bone
• Hip Disarticulation: The loss of the entire leg from separation at the pelvis and hip joint
• Pelvic Amputation: The amputation of the entire leg and part of the pelvis

It is also possible that a person suffers from a double amputation, such as the loss of both of their legs. Some of these injuries are more likely to cause severe permanent challenges for a person’s mobility and daily functioning. However, all amputation injuries come with some potential complications.

Complications with amputations

Some of the potential risks associated with amputations are more likely to occur shortly after the injury. Other complications may take place later or persist throughout the person’s life.

Infections

Infections are a common complication following an amputation injury. Wound site infections can lead to severe health risks and potentially require surgery.

Oedema

Oedema, which is swelling, can occur at the amputation site. When this happens, it can cause pain and impact mobility. Also, if the site of the wound is swollen, it can become difficult to attach a prosthetic.

Phantom limb pain

Amputations cause serious pain at the site of the injury. However, phantom limb pain involves a person experiencing pain in the limb that no longer exists. That pain can present as sharp, burning, cramping, electric, or crushing.

Loss of mobility

The loss of a limb, especially a leg, can create permanent mobility challenges. Those who suffer amputation injuries may also experience health complications because they are not moving as much as they normally would, either because of their recovery or because they are unable to be active in the same way that they were before the accident. The reduction of movement can have health consequences as well.

Loss of independence

In serious amputation cases where a person loses limbs, they might not be able to walk, drive, or otherwise get around as they did before. The loss of independence can be a massive psychological strain on individuals who sustained amputation injuries.