Principles
Main causes
An amputation is the surgical separation of a part of the body, e.g. limbs or parts of limbs, breasts, uterus etc.). These are either performed across a joint (disarticulation) or by dividing the bone.
An amputation is necessary if the affected part of the body is so diseased or badly injured that it is not possible to salvage or to reconstruct it, or if life is endangered by the risk of the disease spreading to neighbouring regions of the body.
The most common causes for amputations are arterial occlusive diseases (particularly with diabetes mellitus), which account for over 80%. The other 20% of amputations are necessary due to cancer or tumours, accidents, infections or congenital deformities.
Arterial occlusive diseases, the most common causes of amputations, are defined as diseases of the walls of the artery walls, mainly in the arteries of the pelvis and the leg. In this disease the connective tissue in the walls of the arteries loses its elasticity, which impedes the circulation. This can lead to a complete blockage or occlusion. The oxygen demand is higher than the poor blood supply can satisfy. The causes are age factors, diet, smoking, diabetes etc.