Amputations above and below knee 무릎 위 절단술, 무릎 아래 절단술

 

 

 

 

 Lower Limb Amputation Table | 하지 절단 요약 표

Category	Above-Knee Amputation (AKA) 무릎 위 절단술	Below-Knee Amputation (BKA) 무릎 아래 절단술
Definition 정의	Surgical removal of the leg above the knee joint. 무릎 관절 위쪽 다리를 외과적으로 절단하는 수술	Surgical removal of the leg below the knee joint. 무릎 관절 아래쪽 다리를 외과적으로 절단하는 수술
Symptoms 증상	- Severe leg pain or infection - Poor circulation - Phantom limb sensations 심한 다리 통증 또는 감염, 혈액 순환 장애, 환상통	- Pain or ulcers in lower leg - Poor healing due to diabetes or vascular disease - Phantom limb sensations 하퇴 통증 또는 궤양, 당뇨/혈관 질환으로 인한 치유 장애, 환상통
Safety Tips 안전 수칙	- Prevent falls and pressure sores - Keep residual limb clean and elevated initially - Lie on stomach to prevent hip contracture 낙상 및 욕창 예방, 절단 부위 청결 유지 및 초기에는 높게 유지, 고관절 구축 예방 위해 엎드려 눕기	- Protect residual limb from injury - Elevate for first 24 hrs, then keep flat - Begin gentle exercises early 절단 부위 보호, 첫 24시간 동안 높게 유지 후 평평하게, 조기 운동 시작
Tests 검사	- Angiogram to assess blood flow - Oxygen level tests in limb - Pre-op imaging and labs 혈류 확인 위한 혈관조영술, 절단 부위 산소 검사, 수술 전 영상 및 혈액 검사	- Doppler ultrasound - Angiogram or CT scan - Pre-op labs and wound assessment 도플러 초음파, 혈관조영술 또는 CT, 수술 전 검사 및 상처 평가
Treatments 치료	- Surgery with muscle flap closure - Pain management (including phantom pain) - Prosthetic fitting and rehab 근육 피판으로 수술 부위 덮기, 통증 관리(환상통 포함), 의족 착용 및 재활	- Surgery with flap closure - Pain and wound care - Prosthetic fitting and physical therapy 피판으로 수술 부위 덮기, 통증 및 상처 관리, 의족 착용 및 물리치료

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amputation (General)

What is it?

• Surgical removal of part of a limb (leg or arm).
  
  
• Common causes: severe peripheral vascular disease, diabetes complications, trauma, infection, cancer.
  
  

Key Safety Tips (for all amputations):

• Watch for infection (redness, swelling, drainage, fever).
  
  
• Prevent blood clots → use compression, move as allowed.
  
  
• Stump care: keep skin clean & dry, inspect daily.
  
  
• Phantom limb pain is common (feeling pain in the missing limb).
  
  
• Physical therapy & rehab are essential for mobility and prosthetic use.
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Above-Knee Amputation (AKA)

What is it?

• The leg is removed above the knee joint (thigh amputation).
  
  

Key Signs & Symptoms / Challenges:

• Higher energy needed to walk with prosthesis (harder than below-knee).
  
  
• Loss of the knee joint → more difficult mobility and balance.
  
  
• Phantom limb pain possible.
  
  

Safety & Care Considerations:

• Prevent contractures: don’t let leg stay bent at the hip for long (lie flat sometimes).
  
  
• Use a firm pillow or prone lying to keep hip stretched.
  
  
• Rehab is longer and prosthesis training is more challenging.
  
  

Common Treatments / Rehab:

• Wound care, pain control.
  
  
• Physical therapy (strengthen hip/core).
  
  
• Prosthetic fitting (thigh socket + mechanical or computerized knee).
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Below-Knee Amputation (BKA)

What is it?

• The leg is removed below the knee joint (calf amputation).
  
  

Key Signs & Symptoms / Advantages:

• Knee is preserved → easier to walk with prosthesis.
  
  
• More natural movement and balance compared to AKA.
  
  
• Lower energy needed for walking than AKA.
  
  

Safety & Care Considerations:

• Prevent contractures: don’t let leg stay bent at the knee → use splint or keep leg straight when possible.
  
  
• Inspect skin at the stump and knee area daily.
  
  
• Good rehab potential if circulation & strength are okay.
  
  

Common Treatments / Rehab:

• Wound care, pain control.
  
  
• Physical therapy (strengthen thigh & knee).
  
  
• Prosthetic fitting (socket fits around calf and below-knee stump).
  
  

Quick Comparison:

• AKA (Above-Knee): Harder to walk, higher energy demand, no knee joint.
  
  
• BKA (Below-Knee): Easier rehab, keeps knee joint, better mobility outcomes.