Common Terminology
Acronyms & Related Terms
Limb Loss is often described by the location and amount of limb or extremity that was removed.
Some key terms for describing limb loss include:
​
-
UEA: acronym for an upper extremity amputation/amputee
-
AE: acronym for above-the-elbow – also known as transhumeral
​
-
BE: acronym for below-the-elbow – also known as transradial
-
LEA: acronym for a lower extremity amputation/amputee
-
AK: acronym for above-the-knee – also known as transfemoral
​
-
BK: acronym for below-the-knee – also known as transtibial
​
-
Unilateral: refers to the absence of one limb; affecting only one side of the body
​
-
Bilateral: refers to the absence of both arms or both legs (congenital and acquired)
(Amputee Coalition, 2008)
KEY TERMS RELATED TO LIMB LOSS
Limb Loss Terms
* Residual Limb: the portion of the arm or leg remaining after an amputation sometimes referred to as a stump or residuum
​
* Revision: surgical modification of the residual limb
​
* Stump: a word commonly used to refer to the residual limb
​
* Extremity: another word for limb, refers to an arm or leg
​
​
Symptoms
* Phantom Pain: pain that feels like it is coming from the part of the body that is missing
​
* Phantom Sensation: the feeling that the missing body part is still there, uncomfortable but not necessarily painful - burning, tingling, or itching
​
* Atrophy: decrease in the size, wasting away of body tissue, muscle mass, or organs due to decrease in function and/or use
​
* Contracture: tightening of muscles around a joint resulting in restricted movement
​
* Edema: type of localized swelling, characterized by excessive fluid in body tissues
​
* Comorbidity: a coexisting or additional disease or illness
​
* Neuropathy: abnormal or degenerative state of the nervous system; decreased sense of feeling in feet or other extremities
​
​
Procedures/Techniques
* Debridement: cleaning of a wound by removal of necrotic or infected cells
​
* Desensitization: reducing or removing any form of sensitivity in the residual limb
​
​
Directional Terms
* Anterior: the front portion; to the front
​
* Posterior: the back portion; to the back
​
* Lateral: the side portion; to the side
​
* Medial: the middle portion; toward the middle
​
* Distal: end of residual limb. Part furthest from the central portion of the body
​
* Proximal: Part closest to the central portion of the body
​
* Contralateral: opposite side of the body
​
​
Therapy/Rehabilitation Terms
* Donning: putting on prosthesis or clothing
​
* Doffing: taking off prosthesis or clothing
​
* Assistive/Adaptive Equipment: devices that assist in activities or with mobility (i.e., ramps, grab bars, canes, walkers, reachers, etc.)
​
* Gait: a manner of walking
(Amputee Coalition, 2008)
REFERENCES
Amputee Coalition. (2008). Fact sheet: Limb loss definitions. https://www.amputee-coalition.org/resources/limb-loss-definitions/