A 40-year-old member asked:
What are the causes of someone to get a leg amputation?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Creighton Wrightanswered
surgery 58 years experience
Several: Trauma
cancer
infections
atherosclerosis and gangrene
diabetes and infections
venous ulcers without response ( rare).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Milleranswered
Wound care 38 years experience
No Criteria: Interestingly, there are actually no specific criteria to guide doctors as to when amputation is necessary. I agree with doctor however, the expertise and knowledge of the treating physician is probably the greatest factor in amputations. I strongly recommend patients who are "sentenced" to amputation get at least 3 to 4 opinions including one from a wound care expert. We save limbs and lives.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
Which leg diseases can cause a leg amputation?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marlis Gonzalez fernandezanswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 15 years experience
Circulation/diabetes: Excluding injuries, leg amputations are mostly related to very poor leg circulation that does not respond to treatment (usually surgical) or diabetes related sores/wounds. Tumors are also possible but not as common.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Hoepfner commented
Surgery 41 years experience
Serious infections can result in amputation too.
May 1, 2013
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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