Have there been any advances in orthopaedic surgery that can reduce the chances of losing a limb?
Modern micro surgical techniques preserve as much muscle and nerve possible. Even if an amputation is inevitable, prosthesis available today can restore a good part of the limb function. When, post operatively, should the patient go in for prosthesis fitting? After amputation, the wound has to heal. After this the patient is taught exercises to reduce swelling. The stump is draped in crepe bandage to shape it for prosthetic fitting. When it is conical, the prosthesis can be fitted. Are there parameters about where the limbs should be cut, so as to facilitate the fitting of prosthesis? Both the technique and the level of amputation, so as to facilitate fitting of prosthesis, are defined in medical text books. In elective surgery, these rules are usually adhered to. But in an emergency, as in accident cases, the first priority is to save the life of the patient. Many crucial decisions have to be taken. So the surgeon prioritises these and the amputation is performed in order to overcome
