Motor vehicle crashes can lead to a variety of injuries. Some of those are traumatic amputations or crushing injuries that end up costing someone their limb. While it’s possible that some limbs can be reattached, that’s not always the case.
The loss of a limb is a difficult event to deal with. You have to work through the emotional and mental impacts of the loss, but you’re also going to have to learn how to cope with the physical changes that this brings. For example, amputation comes with a chance of phantom pain, which can be very painful and annoying.
What are some of the risks of losing a limb?
One of the life-threatening risks when you lose a limb is infection. This can become serious quickly, especially if the infection spreads to the blood, and you develop septic shock. Because there are serious risks associated with amputation, you should ensure that you’re being closely monitored.
Another risk that you have to face is that you might be very limited because of the amputation. Some individuals can have a prosthetic limb; however, this comes with the chance of stump irritation. It’s possible that pressure sores will develop, especially if the fit of the prosthetic isn’t ideal.
Anyone who suffers a limb amputation should be prepared to deal with long-term medical care. This might include having to see specialists and even mental health professionals. When the incident that led to the amputation was the fault of another party, seeking compensation might be in order.