Question about amputation of a right leg above the knee?!
Question: My stepfather's mother is diabetic and has had her right leg amputated about 3 inches above the knee. Now when the surgeons amputated the leg the said that there was not one drop of blood that came out of her leg while the were amputating. 1 is that possible,2 what does that mean, and 3 finally what are the chances they will amputate the leg higher up on the leg around the thigh?
Answers: My stepfather's mother is diabetic and has had her right leg amputated about 3 inches above the knee. Now when the surgeons amputated the leg the said that there was not one drop of blood that came out of her leg while the were amputating. 1 is that possible,2 what does that mean, and 3 finally what are the chances they will amputate the leg higher up on the leg around the thigh?
No, I think they are saying there wasn't much blood lost...maybe they are just trying to keep her spirits up by kidding around with her a little bit? To make her feel special?
Even if there were a blood clot higher up, there should be some circulation in the capillaries and there would be a lot of those. I have seen quite a few diabetics with amputations around the knee, but never at the hip. Possible but not very likely. If it started to get gangrene or if they did a doppler and found poor circulation, they might do something about it, but unlikely. Her age would be a big factor also. They don't like to put older people (esp. diabetics) through dangerous, painful surgeries that take a long time to recover from unless they really have to.
Her circulation was probably terrible. That would explain the lack of blood, and be the reason for the amputation. But there still would have been 'some' blood.
If they got the leg amputated up high enough so that her circulation is good, they shouldn't have to amputate any higher.
Maybe if there was a blood clot or really bad circulation. Unless there are complications they shouldn't need to revise the amputation. And if they do they may be able to do something with out amputating further.
I hope so feels better soon and gets back up and around again.