Most common cause of all lower limb amputations
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), often related to diabetes.
Second most common cause of amputation
Trauma, such as from motor vehicle accidents or combat.
Amputation through the ankle joint, removing the talus and calcaneus
Syme’s Amputation.
Amputation through the knee joint
Knee Disarticulation.
Amputation above the knee, removing the entire lower leg
Transfemoral Amputation (AKA).
Amputation through the hip joint
Hip Disarticulation.
Amputation of the entire lower limb and half of the pelvis
Hemipelvectomy (or Transpelvic Amputation).
Ideal shape of a transfemoral residual limb
Conical.
Ideal shape of a transtibial residual limb
Cylindrical.
Common contractures for a transfemoral amputation
Hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation.
Common contracture for a transtibial amputation
Knee flexion contracture.
Recommended positioning to prevent transtibial contractures
Keeping the knee extended, avoiding prolonged sitting, and using a splint or board.
Recommended positioning to prevent transfemoral contractures
Regularly lying in a prone position.
Sensation that the amputated limb is still present
Phantom Limb Sensation.
Painful sensations perceived in the amputated limb
Phantom Limb Pain.
A common, non-invasive treatment for phantom limb pain
Mirror Therapy.
Post-operative dressing made of plaster or fiberglass
Rigid Removable Dressing (RRD) or Immediate Post-Operative Prosthesis (IPOP).
Benefit of a rigid dressing over a soft dressing
Better edema control, protection from trauma, and prevention of contractures.
Technique for applying an elastic wrap for edema control
Figure-of-eight pattern with pressure graded from distal to proximal.
Elastic sock used to control swelling and shape the residual limb
Shrinker.
K-Level for no potential to ambulate
K-Level 0 (Non-ambulatory).
K-Level for a household ambulator
K-Level 1.
K-Level for a limited community ambulator (curbs, stairs, uneven surfaces)
K-Level 2.
K-Level for an unlimited community ambulator (variable cadence)
K-Level 3.