complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
In addition to the complications of surgery, special hazards include:
Early:
- the breakdown of skin flaps due to ischaemia or tight suturing.
- gas gangrene may especially develop in high above knee amputations.
Late:
- poor circulation may give a cold, blue stump which may ulcerate; reamputation may be necessary.
- cut nerves always form painful tender nerve bulbs.
- the patient may have "phantom limb" sensations which eventually disappear.