What is an amputation?

Amputation is the technical term for the removal of a body part. This can occur surgically as a planned procedure or traumatically through an accident. The reasons for a surgical amputation are varied, but it is generally considered a last resort and is not undertaken lightly. The decision to amputate a body part is usually made when tissue is so damaged that it dies, thereby increasing the risk of life-threatening infections. This can occur, for example, in vascular diseases, bacterial infections, advanced diabetes mellitus, cancer, or after severe accidents. In general, the aim is to amputate as little as possible and to largely preserve the function of the affected body part.

Common reasons for a thigh amputation include severe accidents, circulatory disorders due to vascular diseases, or tumors in the leg area. Amputation is the last resort and is only performed when the tissue in the leg can no longer be preserved by other measures. During a thigh amputation, the femur is cut as close to the knee as possible. The loss of the knee joint leads to a significant restriction in mobility. To restore mobility, care is taken during surgery to leave the thigh stump as long as possible to use it as a stable anchor for a prosthesis. It is important to ensure that the stump is load-bearing and that there are no pressure points from the remaining bone, by leaving a sufficient soft tissue cover, consisting of muscles, tissue, and skin, to cover the severed bone.

All legally insured individuals who need a prosthesis are also entitled to one according to SGB V. After we have submitted a cost estimate to your respective insurance company and it has been approved, provision begins. Unless you are exempt from co-payments, you only need to pay a statutory prescription fee of 10€.

Private insurances usually cover the provision as well. However, in this case, you must submit the cost estimate to your respective insurance company.

In addition to general surgical risks such as wound healing disorders, bleeding, and infections, amputations can lead to so-called phantom sensations. These are sensory disturbances such as burning, cold or warmth, or stabbing pain in the area of the amputated limb. This phenomenon can be prevented by early local anesthesia, e.g., during a toe amputation. In treatment, mirror therapy, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, pharmacological therapy, and biofeedback have proven to be effective.