There are many other reasons why an amputation may be needed, including:
Severe injury in automobile accidents or work accidents
The presence of a cancerous tumor
Severe infection that is untreatable with antibiotics
A pinched nerve or thickening of nerve tissue (neuroma)
Complications associated with diabetes
Severe frostbite
Severe burns
Inadequate circulation in an extremity due to constricted arteries can also necessitate amputation. These are common in “crush” injuries. The lack of blood flow prevents the limb from receiving sufficient nutrients and oxygen, causing deterioration of tissues and infection. If the damage is too widespread, medical providers must remove the limb before the infection spreads.
The most common type of amputation involves the leg, severing it either above or below the knee. Patients may then receive an artificial leg to allow for mobility. Medical expenses for a leg amputation are an estimated $110,000 for a two-year period. Amputation is certainly a “last-resort” effort for the improvement of a patient’s quality of life.