Foot amputation is surgery to remove part or all of your foot. Your doctor will leave as much healthy skin, blood vessel, and nerve tissue as possible. You will be asleep during the surgery.
Your doctor will tell you how much of your foot should be removed. Your doctor will leave enough healthy skin to cover the residual limb or the remaining part of your foot. Some people get an artificial foot. This is called a prosthesis. If you get one, your doctor will shape the remaining part of your leg or foot for the best possible fit.
Your doctor may sew the skin closed to cover the residual limb or remaining part of your foot. Or your doctor may leave it open to make sure that it heals as it should. In this case, the skin may be sewn together several days later. Or it may be left open to heal on its own. Skin that is left open can take a few months to close.
How long you will stay in the hospital after surgery depends on how much of your foot was removed. It also depends on your general health. You may need physical rehabilitation (rehab) after the surgery. Rehab can sometimes start within 48 hours of your surgery. It may last as long as 1 year.
Having part or all of your foot removed is traumatic. Learning to live with new limitations can be hard and frustrating. You may feel depressed. Or you may grieve for the lifestyle you used to have. Talking with your family, friends, and health professionals about your frustrations may help. You may also find that it helps to talk with a person who has had an amputation.
Remember that even though losing part or all of your foot is a challenge, it does not change who you are or prevent you from enjoying life. You will have to adapt and learn new ways to do things. But you will still be able to work and take part in sports and activities. And you can still learn, love, play, and live life to its fullest.
Many organizations can help you adjust to your new life. For example, you can find information at amputee-coalition.org.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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Foot amputation is surgery to remove part or all of your foot. Your doctor left as much healthy bone, skin, blood vessel, and nerve tissue as possible.
After a foot amputation, you will probably have bandages, a rigid dressing, or a cast over the remaining part of your leg or foot. The leg or foot may be swollen for 4 weeks or longer after your surgery. If you have a rigid dressing or cast, your doctor will set up regular visits to change the dressing or cast and check the healing. If you have elastic bandages, your doctor will tell you how to change them.
You may have pain in the remaining part of your foot. You also may think you have feeling or pain where your foot was. This is called phantom pain. It is common and may come and go for a year or longer. Your doctor can give you medicine for both types of pain.
You may have been fitted with a temporary artificial foot while you were still in the hospital. If this is the case, your doctor will teach you how to care for it. If you are getting an artificial foot or prosthesis, you may need to get used to it before you go back to work and your other activities. You will probably not wear it all the time, so you may need to learn how to use a wheelchair, crutches, or other device. You may have to make changes in your home. Your workplace may be able to make allowances for you.
Having part or all of your foot removed can be traumatic. And learning to live with new limits can be hard and frustrating. Many people feel depressed and may grieve for their former lifestyle. It's important to understand these feelings. Talking with your family, friends, and health professionals about your frustrations is an important part of your recovery. You may also find that it helps to talk with a person who has had an amputation.
Remember that even though you've lost a foot, it doesn't change who you are or prevent you from enjoying life. You'll have to adapt and learn new ways to do things. But you can still work and take part in sports and activities. And you can still learn, love, play, and live life to its fullest.
Many organizations can help you adjust to your new life. For example, you can find information at amputee-coalition.org.
If you have diabetes, a minor foot injury, like a blister, can develop into an ulcer or serious infection.
Infections of the feet can spread to the leg. Sometimes the infection is so severe that toes, the foot, or part of the leg must be removed by surgery (amputation).
Amputations are done if the foot or leg can't be saved or if there is major tissue damage. Doctors save as much of the foot or leg as possible. They try to make sure that the remaining part of the limb will heal to avoid more surgeries.
If you need an amputation, talk to your doctor about the benefits. Amputation can relieve pain, as well as get rid of the infection and the need for strong antibiotics. A serious infection can be life-threatening. An amputation may save your life.
Having an amputation can be difficult. If you want support, ask your doctor about counseling.
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