You may argue that any type of amputation feels traumatic. This is true. However, traumatic amputation specifically refers to situations where you lose a limb by accident in a traumatic incident. Incidents that occur by accident and lead to immediate dismemberment or necessary amputation may fall into this category.
One Science Direct study reports that trauma-related amputations tend to occur most frequently among young men. This may stem from the fact that men tend to take more risks and make up the bulk of blue-collar workers in dangerous fields.
Most common causes
There are many potential causes of dismemberment, but some do occur more frequently than others. See below for the top five, in no particular order:
- After electrocution, severe burns or both
- Traffic-related accidents involving pedestrians, cars, trucks or bikes
- Farming accidents
- Use of firearms
- Use of power tools
Common treatment options
If you have suffered traumatic amputation, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that you may suffer long-term disabilities, disfigurement or both. As for the good news, if you receive immediate treatment, and your severed limb is intact, an experienced medical team may perform reattachment surgery. In other cases, you may need to consider prosthetics.
Factors affecting the re-attachment success
Without a doubt, the ideal situation after dismemberment is reattachment. Unfortunately, medical teams may need to consider more than the physical health of the detached limb. They also need to consider your overall health and your age.
Note that doctors report the greatest success in replanting areas in the distal upper extremity. This may include areas from the shoulder to the fingers. Unfortunately, when people suffer dismemberment in the lower extremities, the potential for complications increases. Regardless of where dismemberment occurs, do not hesitate. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.