Indications for Amputation
I’m Ed Smith, an Amputation Attorney in Sacramento. When people hear that they are going to require amputation, they are often quite shocked. The idea of living without one or more of their limbs can be devastating. They usually have many questions, including:
- Why is this happening to me?
- How did this accident occur?
- Will I be able to do the activities I have grown to love over the years?
- What kind of complications might result from the procedure?
- How am I going to pay for this treatment and the appointments after?
- What kind of long-term care will I need?
- Will I be able to return to work?
It is essential to ask these questions before agreeing to any medical procedure. Education before amputation is critical to ensure that expectations are realistic on the other side of the operation. Some quick statistics regarding amputations, according to the Amputee Coalition, include:
- There are close to 1.3 million people in the United States who are living with some form of limb loss. This means almost 5 out of every 1,000 people in this country have had an amputation of some kind.
- Close to 40,000 of these individuals had amputations performed below the knee.
- Over 36,000 people had amputations performed above the knee. These are amputations that occur through the femur.
- The majority of amputations that are performed for non-traumatic reasons are due to diabetes. The frequency of these amputations is on the rise.
While diabetes is a common reason for amputation, there are many others.
An Overview: Indications for Amputation
When someone sustains a catastrophic personal injury, medical professionals will do everything in their power to save the limb. Sometimes, they just can’t be kept. When this is the case, amputation is required. Some of the reasons that amputation may be performed include:
Traumatic Injuries: People who sustain a traumatic injury could lose their limb as a result. Arms and legs require nerves to power their motor and sensory function. They also need arteries and veins to provide a steady blood supply. Severe disruption of arteries, veins, and nerves could render the limb non-viable. In this situation, amputation is the only option.
Spreading Infection: Gangrenous infections are still a significant danger. These are often termed “flesh-eating bacteria.” This infection is caused by an organism called pseudomonas. To prevent this bacteria from spreading up the limb and causing damage to vital organs, amputation might be performed.
Tumor: If a large tumor (such as cancer) is present inside of a limb, amputation could be required. If amputation is not performed, cancer could spread throughout the rest of the body. This is called metastasis. Surgery could be used along with chemotherapy and radiation as part of a combination treatment.
Peripheral Vascular Disease: This is the medical term used to describe damage to the arteries and veins that supply a limb. Over time, blockages can build up in the arteries and veins and halt the distribution of blood. This can cause cell death throughout the appendage, rendering the tissue non-viable.
These are only a few of the many different reasons why someone might need an amputation. Once the procedure has been performed, it is crucial to follow-up regularly with the doctor to make sure that complications are avoided.
A Lawyer Can Help
It is not unusual for families to have questions about traumatic amputations. They often have concerns about the circumstances of the injury that could require help from an amputation attorney in Sacramento. An attorney can help in many ways, including:
- Obtaining and reviewing records from the accident.
- Discussing coverage of the injury to health insurance companies.
- Looking over medical records.
- Assisting with paperwork related to filing claims.
- Speaking with employers about working after the injury.
- Filing a lawsuit related to the injury.
For the average person, these issues can be overwhelming. Because of this, speaking with a lawyer can be helpful.
Related Articles
- Limb Salvage After a Traumatic Injury
- The Basics of Amputation Surgery
- Boating Accidents can Lead to an Amputation
Amputation Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an Amputation Attorney in Sacramento. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries resulting in amputation, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I will provide friendly, free legal advice.
I am a trial attorney in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Citation: The image at the start of this page was found first on Unsplash. The photo has been reproduced at this site with permission
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