When an accident victim suffers a traumatic injury, it likely requires extensive medical care and treatment. With regards to severe injuries to the limbs, this could compromise the function and overall health of the limb. In some cases, drastic measures may be necessary. Amputation may seem like an extreme form of medical treatment; however, it may be completely necessary to ensure the health and welfare of the accident victim. Nonetheless, it is a traumatic experience, causing one not only physical pain but mental anguish and emotional trauma as well.
Need for amputation
To begin, an amputation is the surgical removal of a limb or an extremity, all or in part, including arm, leg, foot, hand, toe and finger. Roughly 1.8 million Americans are currently living with amputations. While there are medical disorders and diseases that could lead to the need to amputate a limb or extremity, this could also be necessary due to other reasons.
These reasons include a severe injury from a motor vehicle accident or a burn injury, a cancerous tumor, a serious infection that will not get better with antibiotics or other medical treatments, the thickening of nerve tissue and frostbite.
Recovering from an amputation
The recovery process of an amputation will depend on they type of amputation that occurred and the reason for it. For example, a car accident victim that lost one or both legs will likely require much medical treatment and rehabilitation. In most cases, long-term recovery is necessary and includes exercises to improve muscle strength and control, activities to restore the ability to promote normal daily living and independence, the use of artificial limbs and assistive devices and emotional support.
Losing a limb due to amputation is more than losing part of one’s physical body. It can feel like a major loss in life, as it could impede one from doing certain things of activities. Ultimately, this could drastically impact the quality of one’s life, as it can cause emotional harm, physical constraints and require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Thus, it is important for victims to fully explore their matter, understanding what rights they have and how a personal injury action may be a valuable step to take. It could assist with holding a negligent party accountable and with the recovery of compensation to offset the damages suffered.
