You have had a foot amputation. You may have had an accident, or your foot may have had an infection or disease and doctors could not save it.
It will take time for you to learn to use a walker and a wheelchair. It will also take time to learn to get in and out of the wheelchair. You may also be getting a prosthesis, a manmade part to replace your limb that was removed. You will have to wait for the prosthesis to be made. When you have it, getting used to it will take time.
You will probably have pain in your limb for several days after your surgery. You may also have a feeling that your limb is still there. This is called phantom sensation.
You may feel sad, angry, frustrated, or depressed. All of these feelings are normal. You may have them when you were in the hospital or when you get home.
Family and friends can help. Talking with them about your feelings may make you feel better. They can also help you do things around your house and when you go out.
If you feel sad or depressed, ask your doctor about seeing a mental health counselor for help with your feelings about your amputation.
If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
If you have poor blood flow to your foot, follow your doctor's instructions for diet and medicines.
You may eat your normal foods when you get home.
Do NOT use your limb until your doctor tells you it is okay to use it again. This will be at least 2 weeks or longer after your surgery. Do not put any weight at all on your wound. Do not even touch it to the ground, unless your doctor says so. Do NOT drive.
Keep the wound clean and dry. Do not take a bath, soak your wound, or swim. If your doctor says you can, clean the wound gently with mild soap. Do not rub the wound, but allow water to flow gently over it.
After your wound heals, keep it open to the air unless your doctor or nurse tells you something different. After dressings have been removed, wash your stump with mild soap and water every day. Do not soak it. Dry it well.
Inspect your limb every day. Use a mirror if it is hard for you to see all around it. Look for any red areas or dirt.
Wear your elastic bandage or shrinker sock on the stump all the time. If you are using an elastic bandage, rewrap it every 2 to 4 hours. Make sure there are no creases in it. Wear your stump protector whenever you are out of bed.
Ask your doctor or nurse for help with pain. Two things that may help are:
Practice transfers at home:
If you use a walker, stay as active as you can with it.
Keep your stump at or above the level of your heart when you are lying down. When you are sitting, do not cross your legs. It can stop the blood flow supply to your stump.
Call your doctor if:
Amputation - foot - discharge; Trans-metatarsal amputation - discharge
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense. VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management for Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Amputation. January 2008. Accessed May 26, 2010.
Heck RK. General principles of amputations. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 9.
Updated by: Dennis Ogiela, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
Read More
Patient Instructions
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.