Amputations and Rehabilitation

An amputation of the lower extremity is erroneously considered as a failure of conservative care or an unpreventable outcome of diabetes. In the diabetic population, a lower extremity amputation is often the result of ischemia or uncontrolled infection. This chapter discusses multiple factors that should be evaluated to optimize the outcome of any amputation. The technique and important intraoperative factors when performing an amputation are discussed. Following an amputation, a rehabilitation process is begun to return the patient back into the community. Discussed are the factors that influence a patient’s rehabilitation potential as a community ambulator.