Amputation Quiz

Amputation refers to:

• Removal of limb through a joint

• Removal of part or entire limb through a bone

• Separation of two bones at a joint

• Removal of only soft tissues

• Artificial limb fitting

Answer explanation

Amputation is removal of part or whole limb through bone. Removal through a joint is called disarticulation.

Disarticulation is best defined as:

• Amputation through bone

• Amputation through a joint without cutting bone

• Surgical repair of stump

• Fitting of prosthesis

• Phantom pain management

Answer explanation

Disarticulation is separation of a limb at a joint without cutting bone.

The most common cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation is:

• Malignant tumors

• Peripheral vascular disease / Diabetic foot

• Gunshot injuries

• Crush injuries

• Frostbite

Answer explanation

The most common cause of non-traumatic amputations worldwide is peripheral vascular disease (PVD)/diabetic foot gangrene.

Which of the following is an indication for emergency open amputation (guillotine)?

• Diabetes mellitus

• Severe infection with sepsis

• Peripheral vascular disease

• Congenital limb absence

• Tumors

Answer explanation

Open (guillotine) amputation is indicated in life-threatening infection or severe crush injuries when primary closure is unsafe.

Which flap type is commonly used in transfemoral amputation?

• Fish mouth flap

• Long posterior flap

• Sagittal flap

• Skewed flap

• Transcarpal flap

Answer explanation

Long posterior flap is standard in transtibial/transfemoral amputations

During closed amputation, muscles are divided at least:

• 1 cm distal to bone section

• 2 cm distal

• 5 cm distal

• At the same level

• Proximal to section

Answer explanation

Muscle is divided 5 cm distal to the level of bone cut so that it can be pulled and sutured over bone for padding.

In amputation surgery, large nerves should be:

• Cut distally under tension

• Ligated proximally before division

• Cauterized at stump

• Left uncut

• Stretched before cutting

Answer explanation

Nerves are cut proximally and allowed to retract; large nerves are ligated before division to prevent painful neuroma.

The ideal residual limb shape for prosthetic fitting in upper limb amputation is:

• Conical

• Cylindrical

• Tapering

• Irregular

• Skewed

Answer explanation

Ideal shape of residual limb is cylindrical for even pressure distribution and prosthetic fitting.

Which is a common complication if residual limb is allowed to rest on a pillow for long in a transfemoral amputation?

• Phantom limb

• Hip flexion contracture

• Knee flexion contracture

• Hematoma

• Stump edema

Answer explanation

Resting stump on a pillow causes hip flexion contracture in a transfemoral amputation, which interferes with prosthetic fitting. As for knee flexion contracture, it is common in transtibial amputation.

Which principle of bandaging stump prevents tourniquet effect?

• Circular turns

• Diagonal/spiral turns

• Tight proximal band

• Uneven pressure

• Extra proximal pressure

Answer explanation

Diagonal/spiral turns in bandaging prevent tourniquet effect, unlike circular turns which may cut circulation.