Amputations of the lower limb are performed for peripheral vascular disease, trauma, tumors, and infection. The level of the amputation depends on the viability of soft tissues, functional requirement, cosmesis, and comfort. In lower limb amputations, the level of amputation in relation to the knee influences postoperative mobility.

An equal percentage of patients with below-knee amputations can walk with a prosthesis as compared with those with above-knee amputations.

Lower limb amputations include digital, trans-metatarsal, Syme’s, guillotine, through-knee, below-knee, above-knee and hind quarter amputations.