Amputation - Why It's Necessary and How it Works

Talking about amputation can make many people feel uncomfortable. However, this surgery actually saves lives if it is done for the right reason. If you or someone you know is facing amputation, this article can help you understand the reason for the surgery and how it is performed.

First, amputations mostly result due to accidents or injuries. However, they can also necessary in case of disease or infection. One man even cut off his own arm to free himself from being trapped in a rock slide after hiking. Amputation is typically needed in cases of severe blood loss or to deter infections from spreading to key organs such as your heart.

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When injuries are especially traumatic, our bodies lose the ability to grow back new, healthy tissue. For instance, our cells rely on blood for oxygen and nutrients and the removal of wastes such as carbon dioxide from our system. If an injury such as a deep laceration drains the blood and keeps it from circulating to our extremities, these wastes can build up in our cells and kill them. If there is too much cell death, our bodies may be unable to replace the dead cells. Thus, in this case, amputation is necessary to rid ourselves of lifeless limbs.

Also, if you get a cut or puncture, harmful bacteria and other nasty things can get inside of your body. From there, they can spread to the rest of your system. One example of a bad infectious disease is gangrene. Gangrene can get inside cuts and scrapes as the damaged tissue dies. When gangrene spreads to the heart and other important organs, it can even cause death.

Sometimes, disorders like peripheral artery disease and cancer can necessitate amputation. With peripheral artery disease, blood can fail to reach the extremities, which results in their death. When you have cancerous tumors in your limbs, they can metastasize to parts of the body that cannot be operated on or removed. Thus, doctors may choose to go ahead and remove a limb to hopefully prevent the spread of the cancer.

During the amputation process, physicians must cut through all of your tissues to completely sever a limb. After skin and muscles, doctors must take special care with the nerves since they can still feel pain and send sensory messages to the brain. Thus, medical staff often cuts the nerves higher than the actual ending of the limb, so that they can be sewn into the living tissue.

Additionally, doctors also have to pay attention to blood vessels so that no blood supply is cut off from healthy tissue. They tie the ends together to keep blood flowing the right way. Also, when physicians cut through the bones, they must take care to make sure that the end is smooth so that it does not painfully rub against the end of the extremity.

Sadly, many causes of amputations are the result of personal injuries. Gunshots, car wrecks, and burns are but a few of the causes of injuries that need amputations. If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury due to someone's negligence, you should speak to an attorney about your rights.

For more information, talk to a personal injury lawyer from the firm of Palmer & Associates PC, today.

Amputation - Why It's Necessary and How it Works

SEVERS DISEASE