Contact Clinical picture Amputation What’s next? Treatment process after amputation In amputation, a body part is surgically removed. This may be necessary due to an accident or due to pre-existing medical conditions. After amputation at the latest, the question arises for every patient: "What happens now?". What your life will look like in the future depends heavily on yourself, your stamina and motivation. As orthopedic technicians, we help you – together with your doctors and physiotherapists – to compensate as well as possible for the loss of your body part using a prosthesis. It is best if your doctor contacts us before amputation. We can then discuss with him what to consider during the operation in order to create the best possible conditions for the subsequent prosthesis treatment. Immediately after the operation, the healing of your stump is the top priority. A good recovery is the prerequisite for subsequent rehabilitation and prosthesis treatment. Swelling at the stump is normal in the beginning and usually decreases again after some time. The treatment process after amputation can take up to three quarters of a year. Once your stump has healed, we will adjust your prosthesis. This can be done on site in the hospital or after hospitalization in a POHLIG Location. We will first discuss the various options available and decide together which prosthesis is best for you. The choice of prosthesis depends on different factors. In addition to the question of at what height of the arm or leg the amputation took place, your health condition, your physical fitness, your home environment and your professional requirements are also taken into consideration. Once your prosthesis has been completed after several trial appointments, our physiotherapists work with you to train specific uses in everyday life. Since the prosthesis needs to be adjusted regularly due to weight gain or weight loss or growth-related reasons, we will be with you – if you wish for a lifetime – and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your prosthesis. Prosthesis for finger, hand and arm After a finger, hand or arm amputation, prostheses can replace the most important basic functions of the missing limb (e.g. opening and closing by hand) and restore the external appearance. Please go this way Foot, leg and hip prostheses Foot, leg and hip prostheses can restore a significant range of your mobility. Immediately after amputation, it makes sense to talk to your orthopedic technician, who will explain the process of prosthesis treatment. Please go this way Where is amputation taking place? Amputation level at upper extremities The amputation level describes the location where a part of the body is amputated. It is determined by the physician before the operation. Among many other factors, the amputation level determines the later prosthesis. This is because, depending on the respective level, more or less body parts and joints must be replaced by the prosthesis. If the procedure is planned, your orthopedic technician can be involved in the pre-OP discussion. Together with you and your doctor, he can clarify which amputation level is most suitable for the subsequent prosthesis treatment in your specific case. Here you can find an overview of the different amputation levels of the upper extremities: Finger: Amputation and congenital deformity of the long fingers up to and including the joint line of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) Amputation and congenital deformity of the long fingers up to and including the joint line of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) Amputation and congenital deformity of the long fingers up to and including the joint line of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) Amputation and congenital deformity of the thumb up to and including the joint line of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) Hand: The hand is basically divided into longitudinal and transversal amputations. Longitudinal amputation involves fingers, metacarpus and carpal row simultaneously, and transversal amputation is performed horizontally. Transcarpal amputation Longitudinal amputation Hand exarticulation (entire hand amputated at wrist) Arm: Forearm amputation (long, medium, short, ultra-short) Exarticulation in the elbow joint Upper arm amputation (long, medium, short, ultra-short) Shoulder: Shoulder exarticulation Shoulder girdle amputation Departments Diagnosis Treatment solutions Physiotherapy Locations Traunstein Aschau München Nürnberg Heidelberg Köln Berlin Wien Headquarter Pohlig GmbH Grabenstätter Straße 1 83278 Traunstein Follow us © 2021 Pohlig GmbH