Losing a limb or facing an amputation can be a traumatic and life-altering experience. At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, we approach amputation with the same dedication and sophistication that we devote to saving a limb or any other surgical care within our Limb Restoration Program. Our goals are to give you as much function as possible and minimize pain.
Our specially trained surgeons and our pain and rehabilitation doctors not only excel at advanced amputation techniques, but in many cases, they helped develop the procedures. Very few medical centers nationwide have the breadth and depth of amputation options that we do. Our collaborative approach to amputation care sets you up for success following a new amputation, or we can help you overcome challenges from an older amputation.
Why choose Ohio State for advanced amputation care?
Amputation care at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is approached with an entirely different mindset than the care commonly found elsewhere. Here are some reasons why we’re successful at positive outcomes:
Expertise not available elsewhere
Our expert surgeons helped develop the very techniques that improve the lives of those with amputations around the world. For example, Ohio State has one of the largest osseointegration practices in the United States. We perform specialty procedures, like targeted muscle reinnervation and microsurgical soft tissue resurfacing, on a weekly basis.
We’ve helped people who haven’t been able to walk for decades achieve independence and a new outlook on life.
Truly collaborative care
Our plastic surgeons work very closely with our orthopedic and vascular surgeons to ensure limb salvage when possible and to teach best practices when amputation is recommended.
A thoughtful, well-done amputation is critical to successful recovery and rehabilitation following amputation and may limit the need for more advanced surgical interventions down the road. Our Limb Restoration Program showcases just how effective this multidisciplinary care can be.
Strong focus on survivorship
Those undergoing an amputation or already living with limb loss can expect to have a full continuum of care at their disposal – from pre-amputation education to dedicated rehabilitation and physical therapy designed for those with limb loss.
We work collaboratively with specialists in amputation rehabilitation, prosthetics, pain management, mental healthcare, and many others to ensure the holistic care required to thrive after limb loss.
Research and innovation
Just as many of Ohio State’s nerve experts have been at the forefront of developing some of the most advanced amputation techniques, they’re also continuing to research and push forward better and more efficient ways to improve the lives of those with amputations.
What causes the need for amputation?
People face an amputation for a variety of reasons, including for certain diseases or injuries. There are two types of amputations:
- Surgical amputation – This occurs when a body part is removed by a surgeon to prevent the spread of disease or to relieve pain and improve function after injury.
- Traumatic amputation – This occurs when a body part is severed by an accident or injury, such as a car crash, explosion or combat injury.
Conditions that could cause the need for an amputation include:
- Diabetes
- Vascular conditions, such as peripheral artery disease or blood clots
- Cancer, such as sarcoma, melanoma or osteosarcoma
- Congenital conditions that cause missing or deformed limbs at birth
- Trauma, such as car accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, burns, frostbite, electric shock, animal attacks or crush injuries
You might benefit from our advanced amputation care if:
- You’re considering amputation due to pain or lack of function.
- You’re recommended amputation because of cancer or another chronic condition.
- You’ve had an amputation — even if it was years ago — and you experience phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, wounds, sores or socket-related discomfort or other post-amputation complications.
- You’ve had an amputation and want better function, including those who have never used a prosthetic device but would like to.
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How is limb-loss surgery performed at Ohio State?
Amputation surgery at Ohio State is done with the utmost care and sophistication, often by our most highly skilled surgeons. It usually requires at least an overnight stay, sometimes longer if other procedures are being done at the same time.
Before the surgery, you’ll be given all the information you need to make informed decisions about your care, and you’ll know what to expect. What happens during limb-loss surgery can vary, depending on what part of the body is being amputated, the reason why and whether other procedures will be done.
Generally, however, steps to an amputation include:
- Removing the limb and any affected tissue and bone.
- Smoothing the severed bone.
- Closing off any blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
- Covering the residual limb with skin and shaping the stump to make it fit properly with a prosthesis.
- Dressing the wound with sterile bandages.
Often, we will perform advanced techniques, such as osseointegration, targeted muscle reinnervation, agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (nerve/vessel/muscle repositioning) and soft-tissue revision, at the same time as amputation to improve outcomes.
Amputation-related procedures
Because of the high level of care available at Ohio State, we’re able to offer procedures not done elsewhere. Our plastic and orthopedic surgeons do more of these types of surgeries than most hospitals around the world.
After amputation, surgeons shape the remaining limb for form and full soft-tissue coverage, protection and comfort. They customize a smooth, tailored fit for the prosthesis.
This surgery corrects post-amputation complications such as skin irritation, infection, pinched nerves, painful scars and prosthesis discomfort.
By linking together certain muscle pairs, surgeons can restore proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense where it is and how it’s moving. Restoring this sense allows people to more precisely control the movements of their artificial limb.
Recovery from amputation
The Limb Restoration Program and our amputation experts provide a full spectrum of care following your surgery to ensure the best possible outcomes from your limb-loss procedure. We’ll coordinate care for amputation rehabilitation, mental health services, prosthetic devices and more to make it easy for you to access anything you need to achieve your goals.
Risks of amputation and other nerve procedures
Multiple traumatic injuries and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or infection increase the chance of complications after limb-loss surgery. Clotting risks may increase due to postoperative immobility.
Additional risks include:
- Deep tissue infections
- Bone fracture
- Hematoma
- Implant bending or breaking
- Joint deformity
- Local skin infections
- Muscle pain
- Pressure ulcers
- Skin flap necrosis
- Wound reopening