A below-knee amputation is the loss of your lower leg from the top of your tibia (shinbone) down to your foot. Below-knee amputations usually occur as the result of trauma, infection, tumor, severe burns, frostbite or poor blood flow to the limb, according to Medline Plus. An amputation can be a difficult physical and psychological adjustment to make; thus, you should prepare mentally and physically for it. Below-knee amputations are common procedures performed by surgeons, but be aware of possible associated complications and how to prevent them.
Infection
According to Medline Plus, infection is a common complication of a below-knee amputation. Infection of the wound site can occur during surgery or during recovery, when extreme measures in wound care should be taken. To prevent infection, follow your surgeon's recommendation to keep the wound dry and bandaged for three or more days, according to Medline Plus. Always wash your hands before touching any area around the wound site. In addition, there may be a drain from the wound site. The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) says to keep this drain clean and avoid touching it unnecessarily, especially near the wound site. Signs of infection include excessive pain, redness, warmth and drainage from the wound site. Alert your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Blood Clot
A blood clot can occur because damaged blood vessels can cause blood to clot easily. A blood clot in your stump can travel to your lungs and cause difficulty breathing or in more serious cases, death. To prevent a blood clot, take all medications prescribed by your doctor and perform light exercise as often as possible while in the hospital. If you suspect a blood clot, look for excessive pain, redness or warmth in any part of your leg. Alert your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Phantom Limb
According to Medline Plus, you may experience a feeling that the limb is still there. This is called phantom limb but may be termed phantom pain if this sensation is painful. This complication occurs because the nerves that were once attached to the lower limb are still intact and can send signals to your spinal cord and brain. These signals can cause your brain to sense sensations in your lower limb that is no longer there. This complication can improve over time. Follow your surgeon's post-surgical treatment plan to prevent this complication.
Joint Contracture
Joint contracture occurs because surgery can cause the tissues in your knee to contract and make moving difficult. Follow your surgeon and physical therapist's plans to maintain the range of motion in your knee joint.
