Surgery Recovery Types of Lower Extremity Amputations By Brett Sears, PT Updated on April 19, 2020 Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD Print Physical therapists often evaluate and treat people with an amputated leg or legs. There are many different types of lower extremity amputations including hip, knee, ankle and foot amputations, and your rehabilitation may differ significantly depending on the type of amputation that you have had. Different types of walking aids and prostheses are used for different types of amputations, so your physical therapist should have an understanding of the type of amputation that you have had. This way, you can maximize your ability to regain normal walking function. If you have had an amputation, be sure you are familiar with the type of amputation that was performed. This may help you know what to expect from physical therapy and rehabilitation. Remember that a lower extremity amputation is a complicated surgery, and the rehabilitation process involves many individuals. These people include your physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, psychologist, and doctor. They must all work together to help you maximize your functional mobility and have a positive outcome after a lower extremity amputation. 1 Above-Knee Amputation Your physical therapist can help you after an amputation. Blend Images/ Getty Images. An above-knee amputation (AKA) is one where the leg is amputated through the thigh bone above the knee-joint. This type of amputation is also referred to as a transfemoral amputation. Most often the amputation occurs at the middle part of the thigh bone. The residual limb is composed of your femur, and no knee-joint is present. An AKA may lead to significant loss of muscular control in the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles, making walking with a prosthesis difficult. 2 Below-Knee Amputation A below knee amputation (BKA), also known as a transtibial amputation, is an amputation through your shin bone. The BKA is the most common type of amputation performed, and the risk of serious post-operative complications in a BKA is far less than in a transfemoral amputation. In a BKA, the knee-joint is spared, and walking with a prosthesis is typically more successful. 3 Hemipelvic Amputation A hemipelvic amputation is one where your hip-joint and part of your pelvis is amputated. This type of amputation is also known as a transpelvic amputation. It is most often performed because of a malignant tumor or as the result of trauma. Walking after a hemipelvic amputation is difficult since there is no residual limb on which a prosthesis can be fitted. Still, your physical therapist and doctor can work with you to fit you with the most appropriate device to help maximize your ability to walk. 4 Toe Amputation Toe amputations usually occur as the result of poor blood supply to the toe, a situation that sometimes develops in gangrene. This type of amputation rarely requires the skilled rehabilitation of physical therapy, but occasionally therapy will be involved in the rehabilitation process if balance or gait issues are limiting functional mobility. 5 Partial Foot Amputation A partial foot amputation is one where the toes and part of the long bones of the foot are amputated. This is also known as a transmetatarsal amputation. A partial foot amputation allows you to still maintain a high level of functional mobility because many in muscle attachments are preserved during the surgery. Also, foot balance and shape are maintained in this type of amputation, which can help you keep your proper gait. 6 Disarticulation Disarticulation refers to an amputation through a joint. For example, if your shin bone is amputated, then the part of your knee-joint at the end of your thigh bone would be spared. This can make walking easier. Since the bone of the residual limb is left intact, there is a decreased chance of bone infection from the amputation surgery. A disarticulation amputation in a child also helps to preserve the growth plate in the bone. You may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist at different points in time after your amputation. As your body grows and changes, you may require different exercises to keep you strong, and you may need a different prosthesis. A Word From Verywell A lower extremity amputation can be a difficult injury to rehabilitate, and it requires hard work and the right care team to fully recover. Be sure to work closely with your PT to be sure you are getting the best care possible after your lower extremity amputation. 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sherk VD, Bemben MG, Bemben DA. Interlimb muscle and fat comparisons in persons with lower-limb amputation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(7):1077-81. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2010.04.008 Mccallum R, Tagoe M. Transmetatarsal amputation: a case series and review of the literature. J Aging Res. 2012;2012:797218. doi:10.1155/2012/797218 By Brett Sears, PT Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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