Spinal cord injury patients are also more susceptible to respiratory and other infections as well as mental problems brought on by depression. Although there is no cure for spinal cord injuries and any damage sustained is permanent, spinal cord injury patients typically live almost as long as other patients. Treatment programs for spinal cord injuries range from physical and mental therapy to surgery. As long as there are no complications, most patients go on to live relatively complete or nearly complete, independent lives. Typically, an amputation patient can expect an average hospital stay of from two to seven days and will require about six weeks to recovery from the surgery.
Most postoperative wounds heal completely without complication.
Many patients then enter a physical rehabilitation program to help them adapt to the loss and to adjust to the use of a prosthesis or artificial limb. Such programs also help patients improve their self-esteem and regain their independence. The need for amputation can be caused by serious and even life-threatening problems. Blood circulation to the affected portion of the body may be irreversibly interrupted, either through disease or traumatic injury, which could quickly lead to severe infection and gangrene. Patients will typically be subjected to a variety of blood and urine studies, X-rays and other diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the damage prior to surgery.