Question

A 45-year-old female with type 1 diabetes, developed a non-healing ulcer which led to a transtibial amputation. The patient underwent a primary physiotherapy assessment and then attended prosthetic rehabilitation. She progressed to being independently mobile both indoors and outdoors. The patient was prone to exercise-induced hypoglycemia. However, this improved over time. Medical Diagnosis: poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes left transtibial amputation secondary to diabetic and a non-healing ulcer. In this case

1. What do you think the factors lead to amputation?
2. What other causes can lead to amputation?
3. What types of disabilities the amputated patient suffers?

Answer 1

1) CAUSES OF AMPUTATION

In this condition diabetes and nonhealing ulcer are the factors lead to amputation.Chronic leg ulcers are commonly due to poor drainage of blood from the legs (venous insufficiency) and poor blood supply to legs (peripheral vascular disease)Poorly controlled diabetes is a risk factor for narrowing of the large arteries that supply blood to the legs .it also lead to damage of much smaller blood vessels .this can damage nerves and lead to loss of sensation in the feet making the feet vulnerable to trauma

2) OTHER CAUSES CAN LEAD TO AMPUTATION ARE

DISEASES,such as peripheral vascular disease ,diabetes ,blood clots ,or osteomyelitis

INJURIES ,especially of the arms,seventy -five percent of upper extremity amputations are related to trauma

SURGERY, to remove tumors from the bones and muscles

3) PHYSICAL EFFECT OF AMPUTATION

The loss of leg or arm can impact a person's ability to walk or balance correctly

Daily life will be forever changed

The victim may also experience phantom pain (painful sensation in the area of missing limb)

Amputes also risk infection of the area where the limb cut due to open wound

Infection can impact the use of prosthetic limb and impact blood circulation

Increased fatigue because of increased energy use on carrying out daily activities due to amputation

THE EMOTIONAL EFFECT

issues regarding body image and how other perceive them.These feelings often lead to the individual attempting to hide their missing limbs from others or altering their appearance in other ways

An amputation can also be a traumatic experience ,causing the victim to relieve the memories that caused the accident