title: Caring for patients with limb amputation.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the care of patients undergoing limb amputation. Absence of a limb can be congenital or the result of trauma or complications of chronic diseases. While the economic burden of limb amputation is significant, nurses have an important role in limiting other losses attributable to limb loss, such as long-term disability leading to loss of employment and delayed return to work or school. Comprehensive nursing assessments and appropriate interventions, pre and post-operatively, as well as early discharge planning and community reintegration can help avoid some of these losses. Nurses should be aware of the resources available in communities and work in multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal outcomes for patients following limb amputation and their families.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Anila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Virani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werunga
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ewashen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D000069469:Medical-Surgical Nursing; D010351:Patient Discharge; D013527:Perioperative Nursing
keywords: amputation; community reintegration; discharge planning; pain management; patient and family education; post-operative care; pre-operative care