Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

What Are the Complications of Amputation?

09/21/2006

Question:

Can you please tell me what the complications are with a right leg amputation? Also, what is the death rate if an amputation goes wrong?

Answer:

Any amputation carries potential risks for infection, bleeding, and death in the short term.  Longer term complications include non-healing wounds, phantom pain syndrome, neuroma formation, and death.

The risk of death soon after an amputation is approximately 5-15% depending on the level of amputation, with the higher rates occurring after an above-knee amputation. The risk of death long term is approximately 50% at 3 years due to other medical conditions that a patient already has.

For more information:

Go to the Amputation health topic.