Planned amputations after lower limb trauma

Chronic pain and infection are the most common reasons for proceeding to planned amputation of a previously traumatized lower limb. The rates of reoperation, neuroma, and phantom limb pain following planned amputation due to trauma are in keeping with those published for amputations secondary to diabetes or vascular disease. However, we report a higher rate of infection, likely attributable to chronic infection as a leading cause for planned amputation. Our data can assist clinicians and patients in making the complex, informed decision of whether to proceed to amputation. This is the first study describing the incidence of complications in patients with planned lower limb amputations due to trauma in the UK.