Amputation is the removal of a body part by surgery because of injury or disease. Diseases include blood vessel disease, diabetes, blood clots or infection in the bone. About 75% of amputations are upper extremity (i.e. arms) – related to trauma. Surgery is done to remove tumors from bone and muscle.
The #1 cause of lower-extremity amputation in the United States is diabetes. The risk is between 15 to 46 times greater than in non-diabetic patients.
Palm Desert Amputation Lawyers of Coachella Valley
Amputation was the most common surgery performed during the Civil War. Amputation saved more lives than it killed.
Statistics
In the United States, over one million people are living with amputation:
82% of amputations are because of vascular disease
22% of amputations are because of trauma
4% are congenital
4% are because of tumors
Types of Amputations
There are two types of amputations: minor and major. A minor amputation is to remove a toe or part of the foot – possibly because of Gangrene. The wound is not always closed completely with stitches because of infection.
Major amputations are where part of the leg is removed – above or below the knee. This is done if the surgeon does not believe the wound will heal. It usually takes about 90 minutes to perform.
Once an amputation stump is created, it will require lifetime care and attention. Small plastic tubes or drains are inserted into the stumps to remove any excess fluid that accumulates; they are usually removed during the first 48 hours.
Amputations are not always a result of a catastrophic injury to the limb – what seems a minor injury can turn into a severe problem that necessitates amputation.
If you are the victim of amputation because of someone else’s actions, you need to contact an experienced Palm Springs Amputation Attorney like the ones at the Law Offices of Dale S. Gribow, who will take immediate steps to protect your rights. This is a traumatic experience for anyone, and you need someone who is familiar with amputations and its difficult and expensive recovery process – Someone who can help you through all the psychological challenges you will face at this time.