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Why do I need to have surgery to amputate part of my foot or leg?
There are many reasons for amputation surgery, including:
- The blood supply to your foot or leg is no longer enough to keep it healthy
- A wound or ulcer on your foot or leg is not getting better with medicine or dressings
- An infection or disease in your foot or leg is not getting better with treatment
- Injury or disease of your foot or leg.
Vascular Surgeons are consulted to discuss if there's any possibility of improving the blood supply to the leg. Interventional procedures, such as an angiogram, with a balloon or a stent, or a bypass surgery may be considered. Where possible, options to improve blood flow and preserve the leg are always explored before an amputation is considered.
Surgeons work to decrease the damage and dysfunctional parts of the leg, while reconstructing the remaining limb, to be as functional as possible.
The need for surgery may occur quickly following an accident or severe infection. Most of the time, they are planned over a longer period to help you prepare for the amputation.
Amputations can happen at different levels. These may be toe amputations, mid foot amputations, above ankle or below knee amputations, and in the rare case, above knee amputations.
Before surgery
Amputation surgery is life changing. The THS healthcare team is committed to supporting you through this journey.
Speak with the healthcare team about:
- Surgery and what to expect afterwards
- Early mobility and rehabilitation
- Emotional health and well-being
- Any home changes or modifications that might be needed
- Managing at home (moving around, personal care and home life)
- Your questions
The team can put you in contact with support services, including:
- Aboriginal Health
- Refugee Health
- Counselling
- Peer support (Speaking to a trained volunteer who has experienced amputation)
On admission
The admission process includes you coming into hospital on the day of surgery, or sometimes you may already be inpatient, having other treatments such as antibiotics.
You'll meet up with your surgical team, including the Anaesthetist, and the other assistants in your surgery.
What happens after surgery
After surgery, when your wounds are healing, it is important that you are eating enough of all nutrients – but particularly protein.
- Protein is a nutrient found in meats, dairy, egg, tofu, and legumes.
- It is the nutrient that helps tissue rebuild and heal wounds.
- You may need to eat more protein after surgery then normal.
- A Dietitian can work with you to help make sure you are getting enough of this important nutrient for your recovery.
- For further information visit the Department of Health Tasmania's Healthy Ageing website
Wound and residual limb care
Wound healing is better:
- when the wound is kept clean and free of infection
- when there is no rubbing or pressure on it
- when you have good nutrition
- with good diabetes or blood sugar control
- when you are able to stop or reduce any cigarette smoking.
Your residual limb will have wound dressings and bandages.
For major leg amputations, nerve blocks, nerve catheters, as well as a drain to remove any excess blood from building up under the skin may be in place.
The stitches from the amputation surgery will need to be removed after two to
three weeks.
After surgery, when your wounds are healing, it is important that you are eating enough of all nutrients – but particularly protein.
- Protein is a nutrient found in meats, dairy, egg, tofu, and legumes.
- It is the nutrient that helps tissue rebuild and heal wounds.
- You may need to eat more protein after surgery then normal.
- A Dietitian can work with you to help make sure you are getting enough of this important nutrient for your recovery.
Diabetes monitoring
Blood sugar levels can be unstable while your body heals and adjusts. The healthcare team assist you to manage your levels.
Pain
Pain in the wound is common following surgery.
It should improve as the wound heals. The medical team may prescribe medication to manage pain.
Some people experience phantom pain or phantom sensation.
Phantom pain can feel like shooting pain, cramping, burning or a mild electric shock. Pain is in the amputated part of body, for example, a burning feeling in the foot that is no longer there. Phantom pain can be managed. It often lessens over time. It’s important to tell the healthcare team if you are experiencing phantom pain.
Phantom sensation is a feeling in the amputated limb, that is, the limb that is no longer there. This feeling may be in the whole limb or in parts of the limb. Sensations are often described as pins and needles, tingling and itching. Many people experience phantom sensations. The feeling that your leg is still there increases the risk of trips and falls. Phantom sensation is often present at night. Because of this, it is important to take care when getting out of bed at night to go the bathroom.
Emotional well being
After surgery you might feel sadness, grief, and uncertainty. You will experience a range of emotions and feelings throughout your journey. Social Work provide emotional support for you and your family.
You may choose to speak with someone from a Peer Support program. Peer support links you with a trained volunteer who has experience of limb loss. Sharing knowledge and experiences can be important to your recovery.
Psychology support may also benefit some people.
Discharge planning
Following your acute recovery from surgery the teams will work on getting you back home. If you need further support to be physically stronger before returning home, we'll discuss your different options.
This may include rehabilitation or transferring you to another hospital closer to home. Sometimes we may need to help you return home with plans for further follow-up, as an inpatient, or as an outpatient to improve your abilities.
This depends on your own personal circumstances and your own personal strength and abilities.
Additional resources
For further information please view the Lower limb amputation surgery brochure
