Type of Amputation

Types of Upper Extremity Amputation

• Partial hand amputation: removing part of the hand
• Wrist disarticulation: removing the hand after separating it from the lower arm at the wrist
• Below-the-elbow amputation: removing part of the lower arm by cutting across the bones of the lower arm (radius and ulna)
• Elbow disarticulation: removing the lower arm after separating it from the upper arm at the elbow
• Above-the-elbow amputation: removing the lower arm, elbow and part of the upper arm by cutting across the upper arm bone (humerus)
• Shoulder disarticulation: removing the entire arm after separating it from the shoulder
• Forequarter amputation: removing the arm and part of the shoulder (shoulder bones could include the clavicle and scapula)

Types of Lower Extremity Amputation

• Partial foot amputation: removing part of the foot (there are many types of partial foot amputation)
• Ankle disarticulation: removing the foot after separating it from the lower leg at the ankle
• Below-the-knee amputation: removing the foot and part of the lower leg by cutting across the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula)
• Knee disarticulation: removal of the lower leg by separating it from the upper leg at the knee
• Above-the-knee amputation: removal of the lower leg, the knee and part of the upper leg by cutting across the upper leg bone (femur)
• Hip disarticulation: removal of the entire leg by separating it from the pelvis at the hip joint
• Pelvic amputation, or hemipelvectomy: removal of the entire leg and part of the pelvis

Double amputation is removal of both hands, feet, arms or legs.