complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

In addition to the complications of surgery, special hazards include:

Early:

• the breakdown of skin flaps due to ischaemia or tight suturing.
• gas gangrene may especially develop in high above knee amputations.

Late:

• poor circulation may give a cold, blue stump which may ulcerate; reamputation may be necessary.
• cut nerves always form painful tender nerve bulbs.
• the patient may have "phantom limb" sensations which eventually disappear.