What is an amputation?

A common reason for a lower leg amputation is vascular diseases such as peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), also known as smoker’s leg or intermittent claudication. Often, several toe or forefoot amputations precede before deciding to remove the entire lower leg. Other reasons include severe accidents or circulation and wound healing disorders in diabetes mellitus.

In a lower leg amputation, the leg is surgically severed below the knee. By preserving the knee joint, the ability to bend is largely retained. The exact height of the amputation is decided individually, depending on the condition of the vessels or tissue. During the amputation, care is taken to carefully suture the large vessels and leave enough soft tissue and skin to create a resilient stump that can be fitted with a prosthesis.

A prosthesis is usually made from many different materials. The socket, where the amputation stump is held, is mostly made of carbon, which is kept in shape with a special resin. The cosmetic part, if desired, consists of a soft and resilient foam, which is shaped by our technicians. However, other materials such as wood, metal, or other foams may also be used.

In addition to general surgical risks such as wound healing disorders, bleeding, and infections, there can be so-called phantom sensations after amputations. These are misperceptions such as burning, cold, or warm sensations as well as stabbing pain in the area of the amputated limb. This phenomenon can be prevented by early local anesthesia, for example, in a toe amputation. Treatments that have proven effective include mirror therapy, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, pharmacological therapy, and biofeedback.