RT Book, Section A1 Smith, Douglas G. A1 Skinner, Harry B. A2 Skinner, Harry B. A2 McMahon, Patrick J. SR Print(0) ID 57819330 T1 Chapter 11. Amputations T2 Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics, 5e YR 2014 FD 2014 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-159075-4 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57819330 RD 2024/03/29 AB Amputations are performed to remove extremities that are severely diseased, injured, or no longer functional. Although medical advances in antibiotics, trauma care, vascular surgery, and the treatment of neoplasms have improved the prospects for limb salvage, in many cases, prolonged attempts to save a limb that should be amputated lead to excessive morbidity or even death. To counsel a patient regarding amputation versus limb salvage adequately, the physician must provide sufficient information about the surgical and rehabilitative steps involved with each procedure and must also appraise the probable outcome for function realistically with each alternative. Attempting to salvage a limb is not always in the best interest of the patient.