Amputations

An amputation is the removal of a limb - such as an arm or a leg - surgically or due to trauma (such as a car accident, industrial accident, or war injury). Other conditions, such as diabetes, can also lead to amputations, for example, leg amputation. Life after an amputation, however, is about more than adjusting to sensations such as phantom limb loss and going through physical rehabilitation. Read about making good prosthesis choices, dealing with pain, skin management, and a broad range of adaptive fitness options, as well.

Videos

John Register, amputee and speaker talking

John Register, Amputee, "Disables" Stereotypes

John Register, amputee, Paralympian, and motivational speaker speaks about choosing to amputate.

Jesse Horn, double amputee, snowboarding on a half pipe

Jesse Horn, The Original "Knuckle Dragger"

Jesse Horn, Jackson Hole native, shows what snowboarding with no legs looks like--just try and keep up.

Related articles

Alejandro Albor, handcyclist and amputee, racing around the course

Hand Cyclist Alejandro Albor Wins the Miami Marathon

Hand cyclist Alejandro Albor takes another marathon first at the Miami Marathon's wheelchair division. He also discusses the attempted suicide that landed him in his wheelchair.

Jessica Cox, double arm amputee, driving her car with her feet

Jessica Cox on What it Means to be "Disabled"

Jessica Cox shares words of wisdom on her life as a woman born without arms, and her perspective on people being able to accomplish anything.

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