Many orthopaedic surgeons consider amputation as a failure to restore function to an individual; however, an amputation should be considered the start of rehabilitation. Major amputations of the upper extremity are classified as being from the wrist distally to the axilla proximally. Major amputations of the upper extremity account for 8% of all amputations and are approximately 20 times less common than amputations of the lower extremity. Over 100,000 people in the United States are living with major upper extremity amputations today. Trauma is the most common reason for upper extremity amputations, with male predominance much greater than female. Shoulder disarticulation and forequarter amputations are performed more commonly for malignant tumors.
