Amputation: Healing the Whole Person After Traumatic Work Injury

As an insurance adjuster in the workers' compensation platform, I experienced many situations in which my clients were forced to undergo amputation of a limb resulting from a traumatic work injury. For some, the injury resulted in amputations of fingers and toes while, for others, the amputation was far more significant; involving feet, hands, entire arms and entire legs.

In the United States, amputations occur at a phenomenal rate of over 125,000 each year. Of these amputations, one-fifth are believed to be associated with traumatic events, such as a work related injury. As an insurance adjuster, handling workers' compensation cases, I witnessed the profound impact these amputations had upon the physical and psychological health of these once-healthy, full productive employees.

Amputation is a surgical procedure that involves removal of a limb, either above or below the joint. Often, the amputation surgery is referred to with an acronym that references the location and type of surgery performed. For example, the amputation surgery known as "BKA" is the acronym for below-the-knee amputation. When amputations occur, it is important to not only know what limb has been affected but whether or not the limb was amputated below or above the joint as this will impact, profoundly, the recovery and dynamics of life long healthcare the amputee will require.

Amputation surgery, while seemingly traumatic, is not the only complication an amputee will face. Once the traumatic even of surgery is complete, and healing is well underway, there will be a great many challenges ahead for the amputee. Such challenges include the need for physical and occupational therapy, to restore mobility and teach the amputee in the mechanics of prosthesis use, as well as management of physical complications, such as phantom pain and psychological complications, such as depression and anxiety.