Interesting radio programme discussing elective amputation and the risks
- 17.11.2015
- RichardEdwards
- Personal-injury, Opinion, Personal-injury, Opinion
I heard a fascinating programme on Radio 4’s Inside the Ethics Committee yesterday.
The programme described the experiences of Sarah, a young woman who had injured her knee in a skiing accident. Despite a number of operations and prolonged attempts at rehabilitation, she was left with an unstable and painful knee. Things were so bad for her that she felt that the only option was to have the lower limb amputated.
The programme took listeners through the options that were considered and described the advantages and disadvantages of each. It explored whether or not she had the capacity to make the decision to request amputation surgery, the psychological issues, issues of pain management and also the prosthetic options.
It also took into account the complex issues of rehabilitation, including the risk that, even after amputation, Sarah might continue to experience phantom limb pains of the same or similar level to that which she was experiencing prior to any surgery. The other well-known risks of amputation, including stump infections, pain issues, problems with altered gait, the fact that there would be periods when she was unable to use a prosthetic limb along with the psychological issues, were all touched upon.
It was an interesting insight into this very difficult and complex area and the level of care and attention that Sarah received was obvious from the account given in the programme.
A link to the programme is below. I urge any readers to spend some time listening to it and, to avoid spoiling the ending, I won’t share the outcome here!
BBC Radio 4 Inside the Ethics Committee
Richard Edwards is a Senior Solicitor with PotterReesDolan and he acts for client who have suffered amputation injuries.