how long would it take to heal after an amputation?

Question

How long does it take a toe amputation to heal in patient with limited blood circulation?

Answer 1

Variable: What is amputated? Why? As you have seen traumatic amputations in our young, military folks heal rapidly. The older diabetic atherosclerotic ischemic person with gangrene has a more difficult time and longer.

Answer 2

Depends: It depends on many factors including the persons overall health and the reason for the amputation. Healing can happen in as little as 10-14 days but it can take longer for other people.

Answer 3

DIABETIC?: If due to diabetes, many factors affect healing. Presence of vascular disease, total lymphocyte count, albumin levels, control of diabetes thru A1C monitoring, your compliance post-op, DON'T SMOKE.

Answer 4

Phantom pains: Phantom pains are a common problem after a recent amputation. The cause is poorly understood but may be related to continued stimulation of nerves in the stump that no longer connect to the amputated structures. Although distressing, there are some good therapies that seem to help. A good support group would also likely be really helpful for this.

Answer 5

Look forward: Its easy to focus on what was lost, so its important to focus on how to make the most of what one has and try to do more today than they did yesterday.

Answer 6

Falls risk: Soon after a leg amputation people still feel like the leg is present. At night they might forget the leg is gone and fall trying to get out of bed. Other very important factors for all amputees is taking care of the skin around the surgery site and controlling swelling. The use of shrinker socks can reduce swelling and allow the person to be fit with a prosthesis earlier.

Answer 7

Complicated: The answer to this question is complicated and is best addressed by your surgeon as part of a preoperative discussion of the risks and benefits of the surgery. Only with a detailed discussion can the potential benefits be weighed against the risks and an informed decision made.

Answer 8

Alteration of gait: Risk of any surgery include: pain, swelling, numbness, infection, delayed healing, no-healing and possible need for further surgical management. Following a trans-metatarsal amputation people will be able to walk however they may experience an alteration in their gait.

Answer 9

Transmetatarsal Amp: For a transmetatarsal amputation, the front part of the foot is removed anywhere from just behind the ball of the foot to about the midpart of the arch. The bones cut through are the metatarsals and this is how this procedure garners its name. A flap is created to achieve closure of the site. Many times we add the lengthening of the achilles to reduce pressure on end of the amputation stump.

Answer 10

Forefoot amputation: A trans-metatarsal amputation is the surgical amputation / removal of all the toes along with partial removal of the associated metatarsal long bones. Achilles tendon lengthening may be performed at the same time or sometime after to minimize the forefoot pressures that may result with this type of procedure.

Answer 11

Part of the foot: This is an amputation of part of the foot. All the toes are lost as the amputation is right above the base of all the toes.

Answer 12

Low blood flow: Calcification & narrowing or blockage of the very smallest arteries results in low blood flow, low oxygen, and low nutrition to the site. Most common affected are feet & toes. Low blood flow, tissue trauma, skin ulcer formation & infections result in infected, dead, or gangrenous tissue at the site. Serious infections or gangrenous tissue can lead to amputation if unable to be corrected or healed.

Answer 13

Many factors: Diabetics often have issues with sensation or feeling and may not appreciate repetitive trauma. Diabetics also have more difficulty with infection, and may have decreased books flute as well

Answer 14

Lack of sensation: Diabetics loose the normal sensation in the feet. This makes them prone to small trauma that, left unattended, results in infection potentially threatening the limb. Also, uncontrolled diabetes makes people more prone to circulation problems and infection (and infections getting out of control). Foot protection (always wearing protective shoes) and careful daily foot inspection is critical.

Answer 15

Depends: That depends on several factors like medical condition, blood sugar, circulation and your definition of healing. Most below knee amputations are in a temporary prosthesis by 6-8 weeks but that can vary widely.

Answer 16

Depends: It depends on many factors including the persons overall health and the reason for the amputation. Healing can happen in as little as 10-14 days but it can take longer for other people.

how long would it take to heal after an amputation?

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