Top 7 Medical Conditions Leading to Limb Loss

Ideally, if a person’s limb can still be salvaged, the healthcare team will do everything that they can to save it. After all, adjusting to life without a limb can be incredibly difficult, especially if you lead an active lifestyle, are still in school, or have others who rely on you for work.

That’s why amputation is usually only considered when it’s absolutely necessary to save or protect a person’s life, typically in situations involving tissue death, infection, or cancer that may spread to the rest of the body.

It’s easy to assume that someone living with limb loss has experienced a traumatic injury or accident, but there are actually many different reasons why limb loss can occur.

Some of the most common causes of limb loss include:

1. Trauma Accidents

Trauma accidents account for 45% of amputations worldwide.  A trauma accident is described as an event occurring by chance or arising from unknown causes” or “an unfortunate occurrence resulting from carelessness, unawareness, or ignorance” by the Central Region Trauma Services.

According to the National Trauma Registry, some of the most common causes of moderate to severe injuries include falls, vehicular accidents, and accidents at work with tools and objects.

Car accidents, falls, or industrial accidents can cause devastating injuries to the limbs, and sometimes, despite all efforts, amputation may be necessary if the limb cannot be saved. These situations can be incredibly traumatic, and the emotional and physical toll they take is often profound.

In the event where fire is involved, severe burns can also result in tissue damage that might necessitate the removal of a limb.

2. Vascular Diseases

According to data from John Hopkins Medicine, about 54% of all surgical amputations result from complications of vascular diseases and other conditions that affect blood flow.

The National University Heart Centre Singapore describes vascular disease as an umbrella term for conditions that affect the blood vessels, whether it's the arteries (carrying blood away from the heart) or the veins (carrying blood to the heart).

When any of these blood vessels are blocked, it can decrease blood supply to the organs of the body.

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or atherosclerosis in the legs or lower extremities is caused by fatty plaque narrowing or blocking the blood vessels.

• Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can occur in the lower extremities due to limited mobility, long-distance travel, and other risk factors.

• Diabetes-related complications. In advanced stages, diabetes can cause severe damage to blood vessels, such as in atherosclerosis.

  
  

Poor blood circulation or blockages in the limbs can lead to infections and even tissue death, which can be incredibly challenging to manage. In some cases, amputation may be necessary to prevent further complications and protect overall health.

3. Cancer

In certain situations, amputation of a limb may be required to stop the spread of specific types of cancer.

Though this makes up less than 2% of all amputations, it can be a vital step for cancers like osteosarcoma (bone cancer) or soft tissue sarcomas. When the cancer is particularly aggressive and cannot be controlled by other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, amputation may be the necessary course of action.

4. Infections

In some scenarios, severe infections, can spread throughout the bloodstream and cause tissue death. Some of these conditions include severe sepsis, gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, and osteomyelitis.

When these infections affect parts of the body that are not essential for survival, amputation may be the only way to save the person’s life and prevent the infection from worsening.

5. Diabetic Neuropathy

For those with diabetes, neuropathy can cause numbness in the feet or hands, making it harder to notice injuries or sores. If these wounds don’t heal properly and become infected, amputation may be required to prevent the infection from spreading and to ensure the person's long-term health.

6. Frostbite

Frostbite happens when a person’s part of the body is exposed to temperatures below the freezing point of the tissue (estimated to be −0.55 °C). It often affects extremities like fingers, toes, ears, and the nose.

If not treated promptly and rewarmed, frostbite can lead to tissue damage and loss of circulation, which, in severe cases, may result in necrosis and the need for amputation. This is a painful and serious condition, and it’s important to seek immediate care to prevent long-term damage.

7. Congenital Limb Deficiencies

This type of limb loss occurs at birth and is not the result of an amputation. Some individuals are born with missing or underdeveloped limbs due to genetic conditions or complications during pregnancy, such as phocomelia or amelia.

This can present unique challenges, but many people with congenital limb deficiencies live full, active lives with support and adaptation.

Conclusion

Limb loss, regardless of its cause, presents a profound challenge in many aspects of life, but with the right support and care, individuals can continue to lead fulfilling lives. 

Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in this journey, offering guidance and support in adapting to new ways of moving and engaging in everyday activities. Through personalized rehabilitation programs, physiotherapists help manage pain, restore mobility, and promote independence.

This can include home physiotherapy to assist with the transition after hospital discharge, as well as clinic-based sessions to further strengthen and restore movement to the fullest extent possible.

Although full restoration of mobility may not always be possible, physiotherapy empowers individuals to regain as much function as possible, allowing them to maintain an active and meaningful life.

With the right guidance and care, physiotherapy helps individuals move better, feel better, and thrive, enabling them to live life to the fullest, no matter the challenges they face