Taken from Wikipedia
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. A special case is the congenital amputation, a congenital disorder, where foetal limbs have been cut off by constrictive bands. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for such problems. In some countries, amputation of the hands or feet is sometimes used as a form of punishment for criminals. In some cultures and religions, minor amputations or mutilations are considered a ritual accomplishment. Unlike some animals, (such as lizards which shed their tails), once removed, human extremities do not grow back. A transplant or a prosthesis are the only options for recovering the loss.
Types of amputation include:
leg
amputation of digits
partial foot amputation (Chopart, Lisfranc)
ankle disarticulation (Syme, Pyrogoff)
below-knee amputation (transtibial)
knee-bearing amputation (knee disarticulation)
above knee amputation (transfemoral)
Van-ness rotation (Foot being turned around and reattached to allow the ankle joint to be used as a knee.)
hip disarticulation
hemipelvectomy
arm
amputation of digits
metacarpal amputation
wrist disarticulation
forearm amputation (transradial)
elbow disarticulation
above-elbow amputation (transhumeral)
shoulder disarticulation and forequarter amputation
