Date: 9:40 - 11:05
Notes taken by: Paige Treakle
Location: Logan HS
Dr. Escher Amputee Lecture:
1) Dr. does everything possible before coming to the conclusion that the limb needs to be amputated.
a) For legs it is either Above the Knee (AK) or Below the Knee (BK)
b) Brings up amputation over many visits to allow patient to have time to process the situation and make a decision
i) People react differently
(1) It is like losing a loved one for some
(2) Others just want it done and over with
2) The limb is cut off typically because blood isn’t flowing to the limb properly
a) Major part of limb is cut off using a saw
i)
ii) Has a chain like saw in middle with handles on sides
b) They leave a small portion of the tibia bone (during BA amputations) and round the edges using a file (so that the bone fragment wont cut through the skin when pressure is put on the bone).
c) They also leave a flap of calf remaining
i) Part skin
ii) Part fat
iii) Part muscle
d) The calf-flap is then sewn to cover the wound and the stitches are done on the front part of the leg
i) This makes the weakest part of the stump have the least pressure
ii) The bottom of the stump does not need to heal because it is part of the calf
iii) As the stitches are healing the amputee cannot use a prosthetic because it can wear on the incision and cause the stitches to break
iv) As the wound heals the skin from the calf flap and the original thigh skin will form together
(1) The stitches only hold the wound together, the body will heal the wound itself
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| Dr. Esher talking to member of the Logan InvenTeam |
3) This procedure can take weeks to heal
4) Remember this prosthetic leg and stump is holding the weight of your body!
5) The prosthetic can be made from plexiglass, aluminum, ect
a) The stump will need a ‘sock’ so it is not skin on prosthetic
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