Amputations

Question 1

What are the three main causes of amputation?

Answer 1

The three main causes are injury, systemic disease (usually circulatory), and congenital malformation.

Question 2

Peripheral Vascular Disease is the most common cause of amputation for which limb(s) and age group?

Answer 2

Peripheral Vascular Disease is the most common cause of lower limb amputations, principally affecting people in the older age group.

Question 3

What type of injury is the principal cause of upper extremity amputations?

Answer 3

Trauma is the principal cause of amputations of the upper extremity.

Question 4

Describe phantom limb sensation. Is it considered normal or abnormal after amputation?

Answer 4

Phantom limb sensation is the feeling of the amputated part as though it is still intact; it is a normal occurrence after amputation.

Question 5

What are neuromas and why can they be problematic for prosthesis users?

Answer 5

Neuromas are disorganized nerve tissue growths that can become painful when they adhere to scar tissue and are subjected to pressure, potentially limiting prosthesis use.

Question 6

Name three potential triggers for phantom pain.

Answer 6

Three potential triggers for phantom pain are contact with the stump, contact with a trigger area on the trunk or contralateral limb/head, and emotional factors, autonomic factors, or cold weather.

Question 7

In the psychosocial adjustment to amputation, what process do individuals typically go through?

Answer 7

Individuals typically adjust to limb loss by going through a process of bereavement.

Question 8

What is the main goal of stump wrapping (bandaging) in the pre-prosthetic stage?

Answer 8

The main goal of stump wrapping is to achieve stump shrinkage by draining post-operative edema.

Question 9

What is the purpose of a temporary prosthesis during the later part of healing?

Answer 9

The purpose of a temporary prosthesis is to allow gait training or bilateral upper limb activities to begin during the later part of healing.

Question 10

How is the split hook terminal device typically operated?

Answer 10

The split hook is typically operated by applying tension on a control cord, which is usually activated by shoulder flexion and scapular protraction.