title: Management of Major Traumatic Upper Extremity Amputations.
abstract: Traumatic upper extremity amputation is a life-altering event, and recovery of function depends on proper surgical management and postoperative rehabilitation. Many injuries require revision amputation and postoperative prosthesis fitting. Care should be taken to preserve maximal length of the limb and motion of the remaining joints. Skin grafting or free tissue transfer may be necessary for coverage to allow preservation of length. Early prosthetic fitting within 30 days of surgery should be performed so the amputee can start rehabilitation while the wound is healing and the stump is maturing. Multidisciplinary care is essential for the overall care of the patient following a traumatic amputation of the upper limb.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone B 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Electronic address: mark.solarz@tuhs.temple.edu.
authors.forename: Mark K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Solarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone B 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Thoder
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone B 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
authors.forename: Saqib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehman
mesh_terms: D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010808:Physical Examination; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012092:Replantation; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: Amputation; Management; Revision amputation; Trauma; Upper extremity