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Facing Amputation? Premier Prosthetic Center Can Prepare You

Facing an amputation is particularly challenging, but the team at Premier Prosthetic Center in Knoxville is here to support, educate, and prepare you with the ultimate goal of providing for your prosthetic needs once your limb has healed.

It is important to understand the type of amputation surgery that you will have as this will impact several factors related to limb healing, rehabilitation programming, and prosthesis design. Amputation can occur at different levels of your leg, most commonly below the knee, above the knee, or through the knee. After amputation, the remaining part of your lower limb is often called your “residual limb.”

Below Knee (Transtibial) Amputation
At this level, your surgeon will remove the foot and part of the lower leg (tibia and fibula bones), below the level of your knee. Your knee joint will remain intact after surgery, which results in a relatively long residual limb and is advantageous when walking with a prosthesis. A below knee (transtibial) prosthesis includes a prosthetic foot.

Above Knee (Transfemoral) Amputation
At this level, your surgeon will remove the foot, lower leg, knee, and part of the upper leg (femur bone), above the level of your knee. After this type of amputation, you will not have a natural knee joint, which results in a relatively short residual limb. An above knee (transfemoral) prosthesis includes a prosthetic knee as well as a prosthetic foot.

Through Knee (Knee Disarticulation) Amputation
At this level, your surgeon will remove the foot and entire lower leg by going through your knee joint. This means that the majority (or entire) part of your upper leg (femur bone) will remain intact, which results in a longer residual limb than at the above knee level. A through knee (knee disarticulation) prosthesis includes a prosthetic knee as well as a prosthetic foot.

Expected Timeline
One of the most frequently asked questions from new amputees is regarding how quickly they will get a prosthesis after surgery.

While exceptions do apply, you can expect to spend 3-4 days in the hospital following your amputation. After this acute care stay, you will begin a rehabilitation program, as determined by your hospital team. The rehabilitation program could include staying at a rehabilitation facility or receiving home health services. Following rehabilitation, you will follow up with your surgeon in the office. Once your sutures have been removed, you will be able to schedule an appointment with the Prosthetic Center.

You should expect your first prosthetic appointment to be an evaluation, at which point you and your Certified Prosthetist can discuss goals and determine a plan of care.

The team at Premier Prosthetic Center offers complimentary consultations.  Our main office is located in Knoxville, but we also see patients at our clinics in Jefferson City, Lenoir City, and Sevierville. To request an appointment at any Premier Prosthetic Center location, call (865) 474-7096 or CLICK HERE .

 

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