Amputated

Amputated is the past participle of amputate, meaning that a body part has been surgically removed or lost through injury. In medical use, it describes a person or a limb after such a removal, as in an amputated arm or an amputated leg.

Amputation is performed for reasons including severe trauma, infection, malignant tumors, poor circulation due to vascular disease, or congenital conditions. Levels of amputation are described by the portion of the limb removed, such as transtibial (below the knee), transfemoral (above the knee), transradial (below the elbow), and transhumeral (above the elbow). The surgical approach aims to preserve usable soft tissue, nerves, and vessels and to prepare a stump suitable for prosthetic fit. Some cases involve immediate closure; others delay skin closure to optimize healing.

Postoperative care includes wound care, infection prevention, pain management, and stump conditioning to reduce swelling and soften the tissues. Rehabilitation centers on fitting and training with a prosthesis, maintaining joint range of motion, preventing contractures, and addressing psychosocial needs. Phantom limb phenomena, including feelings of sensation or pain in the missing part, are common and may be managed with therapy and medications.

Complications can include infection, hematoma, delayed healing, skin breakdown at the stump, neuroma formation, and persistent phantom pain. The historical record shows evolving techniques from early primitive amputations to modern, antibiotic-era surgeries and advances in prosthetics and rehabilitation, with variations in access across regions and populations. The term derives from Latin amputare.