U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedelinePlus
español

Printer-friendly version E-mail this page to a friend
Photograph of a female doctor talking to a male patient in a hospital bed
  • Related Topics

  • Go Local

    • Services and providers for Amputees in the U.S.

Also called: Limb loss

Amputees are people who have lost a limb or part of a limb. Your limbs are your arms and legs. Losing a limb or part of a limb can be the result of illness or injury. Some people lose limbs in accidents or during a war. In other cases, people lose limbs as the result of illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and vascular diseases. If a limb or part of a limb causes great pain or threatens your health, you may need an amputation - surgical removal.

Some amputees have phantom pain, which is the feeling of pain in the missing limb. Other problems that can occur include grief, surgical complications and skin problems, if you wear an artificial limb. Many amputees use an artificial limb. Learning how to use it takes time. Physical therapy can help you adapt.

Start Here