Inpatient management of lower extremity amputations.

The in-hospital care of the amputee is crucial; careful preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative regimens set the stage for a successful clinical outcome. Caring for the patient undergoing amputation is much more than choosing the correct level at which to cut. Early aggressive rehabilitation; careful attention to postoperative complications; and appropriate physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling all play pivotal roles. Thorough knowledge of these issues helps to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome and to keep morbidity to a minimum.