A foot or lower leg amputation is always the last resort, but sometimes becomes the only option to protect your health and save the rest of your leg. Navrit Randhawa, DPM, and his colleagues at Podiatry Wellness Center of New Jersey, understand that facing an amputation is an overwhelming experience. They provide compassionate care, supporting you throughout the process, beginning by helping you make a decision after your diagnosis and offering care throughout your rehabilitation. If you face an amputation, have questions, or want a second opinion, call the office in Carteret or Manalapan Township, New Jersey, or book an appointment online today.
An amputation is a surgical procedure removing all or part of a limb. Amputations are usually the last resort after all other medical treatments fail to heal the injured tissues and stop tissue death.
At Podiatry Wellness Center of New Jersey, Dr. Randhawa has extensive experience performing foot and lower leg amputations at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway.
Dr. Randhawa can also give you a second opinion if another doctor recommends amputation. As a foot specialist, he may be able to recommend limb preservation procedures to prevent amputation.
You may need an amputation after suffering a severe crush injury that causes irreparable damage to the bones and tissues. Severe burns, frostbite, deep wounds, and cancer may also lead to an amputation.
However, most amputations are needed after two primary problems that lead to tissue death: diabetic foot ulcers and blood vessel disease. Diabetic ulcers cause severe infections and gangrene, while peripheral artery disease blocks blood flow. These two conditions account for more than half of all amputations.
Your provider plans your procedure to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. While you’re under general anesthesia, they remove all the damaged tissues and shape the muscles to fit a prosthetic limb.
You’ll need to plan for extensive downtime and rehabilitation. You may need to stay in the hospital for up to several weeks, but while you’re recovering, you meet regularly with physical therapists who put you on the path to regaining health and leg function.
You may be able to go home after leaving the hospital. But if you had a complex amputation or you’re healing slowly, your provider may recommend transitioning to a rehabilitation facility before going home.
Most patients get fitted for a temporary prosthetic limb in about three months. Then they get a permanent prosthetic 6-12 months after their surgery.
Your provider and the caring team at Podiatry Wellness Center of New Jersey meet with you regularly. They monitor your recovery, provide encouragement and support, and do everything possible to ensure you return to your usual activities as quickly as possible.
If you have questions about amputation or need a second opinion, call Podiatry Wellness Center of New Jersey or request an appointment online today.