Car accidents can be devastating to those involved, often leaving survivors with severe injuries, such as limb loss or amputations. There are nearly 2 million people in the United States who are currently living with limb loss, with 45% of those losses resulting from traumatic incidents like motor vehicle or motorcycle accidents.
The long-term psychological and physical effects of losing a limb can be devastatingly life-changing for those impacted. It’s important to understand these types of injuries and how patients may navigate the aftermath.
What Is Traumatic Amputation?
Unfortunately, severe car accidents can result in survivors losing a leg or other limbs. Traumatic amputation is a term used to describe the loss of a body part, usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg, due to an accident or injury.
Amputations can be categorized into the following:
- Complete amputation: This occurs when the body part is completely severed. When the severed part and residual limb receive proper care, sometimes they can be reattached.
- Partial amputation: When this amputation occurs, there is some soft-tissue connection remaining. However, depending on how severe the injury is, a partially severed body part may or may not be able to be attached.
Ultimately, car accidents that result in severed limbs are extremely dangerous. It’s important to remember that in severe car accidents, saving a person’s life outweighs saving a limb. Furthermore, no matter how minor or severe a car accident is, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay, a medical professional can detect unseen injuries and prevent them from worsening.
Types of Amputations
There are several types of amputations, but according to Cleveland Clinic, some of the most common ones include the following:
- Above-knee amputation
- Blow-knee amputation
- Arm amputation
- Finger amputation
- Hand amputation
- Foot amputation
- Toe amputation
Why Are Amputations Needed?
Car accidents can result in serious injuries, some of which may require limb amputation. While it may seem extreme, amputating a limb is sometimes necessary to save a person’s life.
Amputations may be necessary for the following reasons:
- Infection: Sometimes, infection or disease can make it impossible to repair and even endanger the person’s life.
- Tissue death: In certain cases, trauma can cause blood flow to be cut off from a body part for an extended amount of time, causing tissue death and ultimately needing an amputation.
- Unrepairable limb: In an accident, sometimes limbs can be crushed beyond repair.
While it’s never an easy decision, limb amputations may be required in order to give patients the best chance at recovery.
Post Amputation Complications
Amputation is a difficult decision to make, often being done to preserve the patient’s life or to stop the spread of disease. However, even after this drastic measure, complications may arise.
Patients can experience the following after amputation:
- Stump pain or “phantom limb” pain: Sometimes, rubbing or sores from where the stump meets the prosthetic limb can cause pain. Phantom limb can also occur when patients feel pain coming from the amputated limb.
- Falls: In the early stages of recovery, patients who have had a foot or leg amputated are at risk for falls. These falls can occur at night when getting out of bed and forgetting that the amputation has happened. Falls can be serious and can not only damage the surgical area and need additional care, but also may require further surgery.
- Slow wound healing: After amputation, the wound may take an extended time to heal and possibly become infected.
While it’s important to note such complications, it’s also essential to understand that through proper medical care, patient support, and rehabilitation, individuals can work towards adjusting to their new life.
Post Amputation Treatment
After undergoing an amputation, there are several treatment options for post-operation care that can help patients on their road to recovery.
Patients may have a rehabilitation team that includes the following:
- Physical therapist: This individual will work with patients on muscle strength and coordination. Ultimately, they will help train you on how to use your prosthesis.
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor: This medical professional will create a custom treatment plan based on your specific needs.
- Prosthetist: They will help create a customized prosthesis for you.
- Occupational therapist: They can help you with your independence and learn how to adapt with or without your prosthetic.
- Rehabilitation psychologist: This team member will help you with the grief associated with the removal of a limb and any mental health such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Seek Help from a Car Accident Attorney
Recovering from a limb amputation can be a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. With personalized treatment, a rehabilitation program can make a world of difference for those seeking recovery.
In addition to medical support, hiring a car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation after a negligent driver causes an accident. Medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost future earnings can all take a toll on recovery efforts. Fortunately, our team at Reed Leeper, P.C. can be here to assist with obtaining the compensation you deserve to help alleviate the financial burden stemming from an accident.
