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Above the knee amputation is a surgery performed by amputation of the leg at a point above the knee. Major problems, causing this procedure are complications with blood supply and the lower leg. Before the surgery, the patient is given a general anesthetic. The leg to be amputated is shaved and washed with soap and antiseptic, and draped so that only the knee is exposed. The surgeon makes several incisions in the flesh of the lower leg to provide padding for the stump and ensures that each of the resulting flaps has a good blood supply from the upper leg. All soft tissue attachment to the lower leg is severed. Vessels that bleed are cauterized or ligated one by one. The femur is cut through with a bone saw. The bone is filed smooth and bone wax is applied to the exposed bone to stop bleeding if needed. The tissue flaps are folded over the stump to provide as much padding as possible. The blood supply is checked at each stage to make sure that the tissue will not be deprived of blood. The skin is sutured over the stump to provide as good a cosmetic result as possible. Once the stump has been formed and lightly bandaged, a mold for a custom prosthesis may be taken, or the surgeon may try to fit an off-the-shelf prosthesis. The stump is then cleaned, dressed with topical antibiotics, and bandaged, and the individual is transferred to the recovery room. After the above the knee amputation surgery is complete, a frustrating period of physical therapy and learning the ability to walk with an artificial leg lies ahead for the individual.
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