Amputation

The amount and location of the limb preserved can affect joint function, mobility or upper-extremity use, prosthetic options, energy demands, and rehabilitation goals. Surgical records may document how the amputation level was selected, while rehabilitation and functional records can show its later effects on mobility, self-care, work activities, and prosthetic use. Amputation level is one important factor, but overall function also depends on factors such as strength, joint motion, medical conditions, pain, rehabilitation, and individual goals.

Possible complications include delayed wound healing, infection, skin breakdown, contractures, residual-limb pain, neuroma-related pain, phantom limb pain, falls, and the need for additional surgery or revision. These findings should be considered alongside the reason for the amputation, surgical course, vascular and neurological status, prosthetic fit when applicable, and rehabilitation history. Residual-limb pain and phantom limb pain are distinct conditions and may have different causes and management considerations.

Replantation is a specialized surgical procedure that attempts to reattach a completely amputated finger, hand, arm, or other suitable body part. Whether it is appropriate depends on factors such as the amputation level, injury mechanism, amount of tissue damage, condition and preservation of the amputated part, ischemia time, patient health, and expected functional outcome. When replantation is not feasible or when revision amputation is expected to provide a more appropriate functional or recovery outcome, the injured end may instead be surgically treated with a completion or revision amputation. The decision is individualized rather than based on replantation being inherently preferable in every traumatic amputation.