Leg or foot amputation: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek urgent medical advice for:

   • New redness, warmth, pus, bad odour, or wound opening
   • Fever or chills
   • Sudden worsening pain or a change in the residual limb’s colour
   • Bleeding that continues despite firm pressure
   • New swelling or pain in the other leg

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   For routine questions, contact your team if pain is not well controlled, the wound is slow to improve, swelling is increasing, or you are having difficulty with exercises, equipment, sleep, or mood.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Leg or foot amputation. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.