Information about Arizona Limb Loss and Amputation Injuries
by Phoenix Amputation Lawyer - Mark Breyer
As amputation lawyers in Phoenix, we see many people who lose a limb as a result of the negligent of another individual. Many times limb loss in accident cases in Arizona is because of infections ensuing in the injured area and the infection not being able to be controlled. Once an infection spreads into an injured area many times it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to stop the infection. If the infection cannot be stopped then many times the injured person has to decide whether to undergo multiple surgeries, live with pain, or have the loss of a limb.
Limb loss generally refers to the absence of any extremity due to surgical or traumatic amputation. In 2007 there were approximately 1.7 million people living in the United States suffering from limb loss. There are more than 185,000 new amputations performed each year. Limb loss can occur from a traumatic event, infection, diabetes, vascular disease, and cancer. The surgical removal of a limb is often done to control pain or prevent a disease from spreading. When removing a limb surgeons keep in mind that the shorter the limb is, the more energy that is required to use the limb. Surgeons also adhere to the maximum preservation of limb length and joint function in order to be able to use a prosthesis limb in the future.
After a patient has healed from the amputation surgery and swelling has gone down patients may visit with a doctor about a prosthetic limb. Many people chose to use a prosthesis limb if they are the proper candidate. In this case a patient will visit the prosthesis clinic several times before getting the prosthesis to ensure the proper fitting. Physical and occupational therapy may be needed to adapt to the prosthesis. Some amputees may also need professional assistance to deal with emotional changes of limb loss and having a prosthetic limb. A person that suffers from limb loss may have limb and phantom pain as well as skin problems with the prosthesis. Amputees whose health does not permit a prosthetic limb will need extra care and assistance with mobility and transfer.
The clients who we have represented who have lost a limb have not had a lot of trouble finding a prosthetic limb. There is certainly a lot of emotional trauma that can go with having to lose a limb but typically the pain that the injured area was causing to the injured individual brings some carefree emotions.
We encourage our Phoenix personal injury clients to try to do everything they can to save the limb, but unfortunately many times there is nothing that can be done. Infections spread into the area and the pain that can be endured cannot be tolerated.
