When we hear the word "amputation" or surgical removal of a part of the body, we feel a great sense of fear and shock. It is very common. But there are times when this can be a life-saving, essential medical treatment. So, being fully informed about this will be a great help in alleviating that fear. Today, we will talk about what this surgery is, why it has to be done, and what happens afterwards.
Why would you have to have a body part surgically removed?
No one would just remove an arm, leg, or finger. There has to be a very serious medical reason for it. Simply put, doctors make this decision if a part of the body is so damaged that it can no longer be saved and is going to harm the entire body.
The main reason for this is poor blood circulation . To be precise, the relevant organ does not receive enough blood due to narrowing or damage to the arteries or blood vessels. We call this condition `(Peripheral Arterial Disease)`. Imagine what happens if our tree does not get water? It gradually dies, right? That's how it is, when the oxygen and nutrition from the blood are lost, the cells in our body start to die. Then that part rots and serious infections can occur.
In addition to this main reason, this surgery may be necessary for several other reasons.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Serious accident | When an arm or leg is crushed or damaged beyond repair, such as in a car accident or severe burn. |
| A cancerous tumor | To stop the spread of a cancerous tumor in the bones or muscles, that part needs to be removed. |
| An uncontrollable infection | A serious infection that cannot be cured even with antibiotics and can spread throughout the body. |
| Thickening of nerve tissue (Neuroma) | Sometimes a small part, such as a finger, has to be removed due to painful thickening of the nerve tissue. |
| Frostbite | Death of body tissue due to exposure to extreme cold. (This is not common in our country). |
How is the surgery performed?
This type of surgery usually requires a hospital stay of 5-14 days or more, depending on your health condition and the nature of the surgery.
You will be anesthetized before the surgery. This can be done in two ways.
1. General Anesthesia: In this, you will be completely asleep and will not feel anything until the surgery is over.
2. Spinal Anesthesia: In this, your body is numbed from the waist down. You are conscious, but you do not feel pain.
When performing surgery, the doctor's main goal is to remove all damaged tissue and leave as much healthy tissue as possible.
Doctors use several methods to determine exactly where to remove it.
- They check to see if there is a pulse near the area they plan to remove.
- The skin temperature of the injured arm/leg is compared with the temperature of the healthy arm/leg.
- Carefully examine the areas where the skin is red.
- Check to see if the skin near the area you want to remove is sensitive to touch.
During surgery, the surgeon will do the following:
- Diseased tissue and crushed bone fragments are completely removed.
- Smoothes out uneven, sharp spots on the bones.
- To stop the bleeding, blood vessels and nerves are sealed tightly.
- The muscles are cut and shaped so that a prosthetic arm or leg can later be attached to the remaining part (stump).
Sometimes the surgeon closes the wound with skin flaps right away. This is called a ``Closed Amputation''. However, if there is a risk of infection or if more tissue needs to be removed, the wound may be left open for a few days.
Healing time and recovery
Recovery after surgery varies from person to person. It depends on many things, including your overall health and the nature of the surgery.
At the hospital:
The hospital staff will change the dressings on your wound, or teach you how to do it yourself. The doctor will check for any medical conditions that may delay wound healing, such as diabetes. They will give you medication to help reduce pain and prevent infection.
Phantom Pain: This is something that many people experience. Simply put, it is the feeling that the removed arm/leg is still there and that it is causing pain. This is not a psychological problem, it is something that is felt. If you feel something like this, never hide it. Be sure to tell your doctor. He or she can provide the necessary treatment and counseling.
Physical therapy begins a few days after surgery. Very gentle stretching exercises are done first. You will be able to start exercising with the prosthetic leg/arm about 2 weeks after surgery.
It usually takes about 4-8 weeks for the wound to heal completely.
It takes time to adjust to this big change, both physically and mentally. That's very normal. Never suffer alone. Ask for help.
Long-term rehabilitation includes:
- Exercises to strengthen muscles and improve control.
- Activities that develop the ability to perform daily tasks independently.
- Use of artificial limbs (`Prosthesis`) and other assistive devices .
- It is important to seek support and counseling from your doctor or a qualified counselor to help you cope with the grief of losing a body part and adjusting to your new body shape.
Take-Home Message
- Amputation is a necessary surgical procedure performed to save a life or improve the quality of life. It is not a failure of medical treatment.
- The healing process is both a physical and emotional journey, and it takes time, patience, and support.
- It is very important to work closely with your doctor, physical therapist, and counselor. Don't be afraid to ask them questions and share your concerns.
- If you are experiencing 'phantom pain' or mental stress, don't hide it and seek medical advice immediately. There are many people who can help you.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න