Facing Limb Loss, Part 1: Helping Patients Regain Function

Course overview

About 2 million Americans already have some form of limb loss, and more than 185,000 new amputations are done each year. The Amputee Coalition of America estimates that there are 185,000 new lower extremity amputations each year just within the United States and an estimated population of 2 million American amputees. The primary causes of acquired limb loss are diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, trauma, infection, and cancer. About 90% of amputations done in the United States are lower extremity amputations. Part 1 of this series outlines causes of limb loss, amputation procedures, postoperative care, and rehabilitation, including the role healthcare providers as a team play in helping patients regain function and prevent further amputation. People who experience limb loss may interact with healthcare providers in multiple settings, so healthcare providers across disciplines need to be well informed about it.