| An amputation is the loss or removal of a body part | | | | - Whether or not the limb was amputated at the |
| or extremity. This serious condition often arises in the | | | | time of the accident |
| aftermath of a traumatic accident or illness. A | | | | - The length of time it took to treat the wound |
| traumatic amputation happens when a part of your | | | | - The condition of the victim |
| body is severed in an accident, such as a motor | | | | - The condition of the amputated limb |
| vehicle crash or a harrowing event involving | | | | Amputated body parts |
| dangerous equipment. | | | | The body parts that most commonly become |
| A serious injury like an amputation can dramatically | | | | completely or partially severed from your body during |
| change your life. If one of your limbs has been | | | | trauma include: |
| amputated, you may face: | | | | - Legs (either below your hip or below the knee) |
| - A long, painful recovery | | | | - Arms (typically from your shoulder or from the |
| - Extensive physical therapy | | | | elbow) |
| - Staggering medical bills | | | | - Fingers/hands |
| The goal of a workers’ compensation or | | | | - From the waist down |
| personal injury claim is to help the victim and the | | | | - Toes/feet |
| victim’s family collect money to help manage this | | | | - Ears |
| devastating situation. It is vital that you have | | | | - Nose |
| sufficient resources in place to meet your medical | | | | Treatment |
| and financial needs both today and years down the | | | | Depending on what part of your body was detached, |
| road. | | | | amputation treatment will differ by patient. However, |
| Amputation accidents | | | | the initial First Aid treatment to your initial wound will |
| Behind disease, accidents are the most frequent | | | | generally follow the same procedures, such as: |
| cause of amputation in the United States, with | | | | - Treating the victim for shock or unconsciousness |
| around 30,000 amputations occurring annually. | | | | - Controlling the bleeding |
| Research shows that the most common traumatic | | | | - Saving and preserving the amputated body part(s) |
| amputee victims are males ages 15 to 30. | | | | Some procedures for continued and advanced |
| Various accidents can lead to amputation. The site of | | | | treatment can include: |
| the accident plays a major role in who may be held | | | | - Keeping the wound clean and infection-free until it is |
| liable for short-term and long-term damages in an | | | | healed |
| amputation claim. | | | | - An assessment called Mangled Extremity Severity |
| Some common causes of amputation injuries include: | | | | Score (MESS) to determine whether or not limb |
| | | | reattachment is possible |
| - Construction site accidents (such as accidents with | | | | - Surgical reattachment of body parts when possible |
| power tools) | | | | - Prosthesis attachment when possible |
| - Motor vehicle accidents (including cars, trucks, | | | | Accident Amputation Outcome |
| motorcycles, buses, trucks and pedestrian accidents) | | | | How quickly and efficiently the amputee victim is able |
| - Workplace injuries (such as on farm-related | | | | to receive medical care will play a large part in the |
| machinery, factory equipment, etc.) | | | | outcome of that extremity. The prognosis will |
| - Dangerous property conditions | | | | depend largely on what sort of replacement is |
| - Dangerous and defective products | | | | available for the lost body part. |
| - Animal attacks | | | | In today’s technology age, advances in |
| Types of amputations | | | | prosthetics have dramatically improved. However, |
| There are two categories of amputations: partial and | | | | keep in mind that rehabilitation from traumatic |
| complete. A partial amputation is when a part of your | | | | amputation is typically an involved, lengthy process. |
| affected limb tissue remains attached. In a complete | | | | Using a prosthetic is a difficult and life-long |
| amputation, your entire body part is cut off. In both | | | | adjustment, but it is often more beneficial than the |
| types of amputations, the affected extremity bay | | | | reattachment of a nonfunctional limb, or no extremity |
| be reattached, depending on several factors. These | | | | at all. |
| include: | | | | |