Amputation means the removal of a limb or limbs either by trauma or through surgery. It derives its name from the Latin word “amputare”, with “ambi” meaning around or about and “putare” means cutting away. Surgically, it is used as a preventive measure to stop the growth of infections like gangrene or a malignant tumor. In some countries and in some cultures, it is also used as a punishment for any act of sin.

As seen in some mammals, like lizards that have the capability to grow its tail back, a human limb cannot be recovered naturally after amputation. The only ways to recover the loss of a limb or limbs are by transplants or through prosthesis.

Some facts on surgical amputations:

• 90 percent of the amputations are done at the lower extremity i.e. the legs.
• 77 percent of the amputations done are of males.
• There are around 3 million people in the US who have had amputations.
• 50 percent of amputees are between the age of 21 and 65.
• Some of the reasons for amputations are congenital amputation, vascular diseases, infections, tumors and trauma.
• The chief reason for amputation in most of the cases is vascular, followed by trauma.
• The third leading cause for amputations is due to tumors.
• The least likely reason for an amputation is congenital amputation i.e. being born without an arm or leg.
• Amputation becomes a necessity when gangrene, a fatal infection starts spreading in the body. It is generally infects the foot of a person due to some injury with poor blood circulation or low immune power.
• 80 percent of the amputations related to diabetes were in people above 50 years of age.
• Most of the amputations related to diabetes can be prevented.

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