Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Below-the-Knee Amputation

(Amputation, Below-the-Knee; BKA)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

A below-the-knee amputation (BKA) is the surgical removal of the leg below the knee.

Reasons for Procedure

An amputation may be done for:

Poor blood flow that cannot be fixed
Severe infection
Trauma or injury
Tumors
Problems at birth, such as a limb that has not formed properly

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:

Excess bleeding
Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
Infection
Blood clots
Skin breakdown and swelling of the remaining limb
Poor healing that may result in further amputation
Feeling pain in the amputated limb or feeling that it is still there

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

Smoking
Drinking
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The surgical team may meet with you to talk about:

Anesthesia options
Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Whether you need a ride to and from surgery
Tests that will need to be done before surgery, such as images

Anesthesia

The doctor may give:

Local anesthesia—the area will be numbed
General anesthesia—you will be asleep
Regional anesthesia—a section of the body is numbed

Description of Procedure

An incision will be made in the skin below the knee. The muscles will be divided and the blood vessels clamped. A special saw is used to cut through the bone. The muscles are then sewn and shaped. It will form a stump that will cushion the bone. Nerves are divided and placed so they do not cause pain. The skin is closed over the muscles. Drains may be inserted into the stump. It will allow blood and fluids to drain from the area in the first few days after surgery. A dressing and compression stocking will be placed over the stump.

Below-the-Knee Amputation

A cut is made below the knee.

How Long Will It Take?

It may take many hours. It depends on the reason for the surgery.

How Much Will It Hurt?

Pain and swelling are common in the first month. Medicine and home care can manage pain.

Average Hospital Stay

The usual length of stay is 5 to 14 days. If you have any problems, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

Right after the procedure, the staff may:

Give you pain medicine
Give you medicine to prevent blood clots
Raise the leg to ease swelling
Apply ice to the area

Physical therapy will be started soon after surgery. The care team will teach you how to use any assistive devices.

Preventing Infection

During your stay, staff will take steps to lower your chance of infection, such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

You can also lower your chance of infection by:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
Not letting others touch your incisions

At Home

It will take 1 to 2 months for the remaining limb to heal. Physical activity will be limited during recovery. You may need to ask for help with daily activities and delay return to work. You will need to learn new ways to do daily tasks. This may take up to a year.

Call Your Doctor

Call the doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

Increasing redness, swelling, pain, excess bleeding, or discharge
Pain that you cannot control with medicine
Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
Nausea or vomiting
Feelings of depression
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
New or unexpected symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca

The Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

References:

Amputation. John Hopkins Medicine website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 28, 2020.

Amputation. Society for Vascular Surgery website. Available at: https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-treatments/amputation. Accessed September 28, 2020.

Management of acute and critical limb ischemia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 10, 2017.

Rooke TW, Hirsch AT, et al. 2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Focused Update of the Guideline for the Management of patients with peripheral artery disease (Updating the 2005 Guideline): a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2011 Nov 1;124(18):2020-2045.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 6/8/2021

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