One of the horrible injuries that you can suffer in a car accident is a traumatic amputation of your leg. This is something that can impact your life. The severity of the impact directly corresponds with the severity of the injury.
There are several things to think about when you learn that you have suffered a traumatic amputation in a motor vehicle crash. Here are a few to get you started:
There are 2 types of amputations
Amputations are divided into two categories. The first is the complete amputation. This occurs when the leg is fully severed from the body without any structures remaining attached. A partial amputation is the second. In this case, some of the structures of the leg remain attached so that the limb just hangs there.
Impact of the amputation type
Many people think that a partial amputation is better than a complete amputation in terms of healing. This might not be the case. The ultimate decision about whether to reattach a leg or not depends on the condition of the stump and amputated part. There is a chance that a complete amputation will be able to be reattached and there is a chance that a partial amputation won’t be able to be reattached.
Immediate risks of an amputation
An amputation is very painful because of the damage done by the injury. It causes a lot of bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Shock is another possible issue that the person might deal with. It is imperative that steps are taken to save the victim’s life right away. Once this is done, then steps should be taken to preserve the amputated body part.
Long-term risks of an amputation
There is a chance that an infection might set in. Since amputations don’t occur in a sterile environment, bacteria and other contaminates might get into the open wound. The road to recovery is going to be long whether the victim has a surgical reattachment or an amputation. In many cases, physical therapy is necessary so that the person can learn how to walk again.
If there is a prosthesis, the person will have to learn how to use it safely because there are risks that come with wearing the artificial leg and risks of not wearing it. Ultimately, life becomes a balancing act when you suffer a traumatic amputation. Your entire life might be sent into a tailspin since you might not be able to work or do the things you enjoy doing.
