In my process, the doctors opted to try and save my leg too. I could have kept it, but would have to use canes etc and deal with complications for the rest of my life. I choose to amputate. Im glad I did even though that might sound awful to some people. Really I had a choice to not live a good life or amputate and TRY to get it back and I did :) Im a BKA and with some rehab and support, I now have (I kid you not) 95% of my life back. BKA's can do very well in life, its all attitude. Best of luck with your choice and know Im here if need.

I went through many surgeries to "SAVE" my leg. Thing very similar to what you are going through. At some point I came to the conclusion that to try to save a useless and painful limb was foolish. I had an AKA in 2008 and have no regrets. I now have a C-Leg with a Hi-Fi socket and life is good. I am pain free and walk normally, I can hike, camp out, walk on sandy beaches and even climb the Oregon mountains using one crutch to help out in steep places. I am 73 now and still able to enjoy being active.
I repeat, I have never regretted having my leg amputated. I wish you well and good luck.

After a nasty motorcycle crash my right ankle fused itself solid. My research on ankle fusion convinced me that a below knee amputation was the way to go. No regrets. Life is too short to live in needless pain and agony. I play with my kids and surprised them by getting in the gulf this past summer. It is your decision. But remember the definitionof insanity.......doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome!

I am 72 y/o male, that wrecked my left foot skiing. They now want to do a triple arthrodesis, which requires extensive recovery time, with possible other problems resulting from this surgery. ( I have severe arthritis in all joints, that woud not be able to tolerate a shift in weight distribution) I am researching a possible voluntary amputation. Can you tell me where you had your surgery done?

I am currently also considering an elective amputation. I have had three fusions of my left ankle and foot, and just found out my third fusion did not fuse. I have had a total of seven surgeries, and have near-constant pain and neuropathy . I am ready to be done. I want to amputate and move on with my life. From my research, ankle fusions do not have a good success rate. My surgeon offered the option of another fusion, but I am not going through that surgery and recovery again.

I'm 33 with 2 kids doing an elective below knee amputation in 2 weeks. So I can finally attempt to play with my kids and be a dad

Im 37, have had multiple benign bone tumors in my left leg (Osteochondroma) first one in 2002 - healed nicely from that, second in 2015. That surgery my fibular head shattered, and was fully resected. I have had increasing pain since. I had a meniscus flap tear due to instability recently repaired, and I was also informed there are 2 more osteochondromas. Now keep in mind, these were found in March 2017, and there has been no follow up because the surgeon is not worried about them, and feels they were to be expected.....but didn't tell me he expected this....anyways. The pain is still getting worse, and my mobility is getting worse, and frankly, Im not too comfortable with having a couple benign bone tumors in my leg, kinda because I read pretty much everywhere that a recurrent osteochondroma in adults (over 25) have a fairly significant chance of turning malignant at some point if they are left alone, some places I've read as high as 30%....basically a 1 in 3 chance. Its been suggested to go in and remove another section of the fibula and remove the tumor that is on the tibia, the doctor that suggested this said he isn't sure this will relieve my pain, but feels confident there will not be a recurrence. I asked why he felt it would not recur (because it has twice already....) he said because I have finished growing so it won't come back - then immediately said "I do have to inform you that I am moving to the Southern US (I am in Canada) and if we go through with the surgery that you would be following up with my successor" What I hear is "Im gonna try and be a hero and fix your leg, but if it doesn't work, its not on me cause I'm outta here" - Now of course that's not his professional stance, he legit thinks this MAY work.
Now to throw a twist in this, Another doctor I saw for a second opinion on things, looked at my case and said specifically not to go in and remove more bone, it will not work, and there is a very high chance of recurrence, as well as nerve damage and infection. He feels enough of the bone was removed in the first place, and that is not what is causing my pain, and to go in and perform a surgery of that magnitude with only a chance of success, and a higher chance of causing more problems is not advisable.
I had a third doctor agree that the surgery IS a good idea to TRY and fix things, but that if that does not work that amputation is the only option. He also said that amputation now is also an option, no one but me knows the pain I am in, and doing nothing is not an option, the tumors have to go one way or another, and to remove them with a high risk of recurrence essentially puts amputation on my list of options.
So now I officially have amputation as a viable option, yet not first choice of some doctors.

All that being said, I reached out to some people who have gone through elective amputation, and was given the advice to reach out to a prosthetic company locally, as many as I can, and share my story. He said if they want to help me, they can put me in contact with the doctors they deal with, and go from there. So that is exactly what I did, and I contacted the most reputable company in the area. They got back to me and offered me a phone appointment. I spoke to the owner, and went into great detail as far as all the pain treatment options I have tried, and where I am now, where I want to be, the reason I feel amputation is the best option for several reasons. He definitely agree's that it is time to let my leg go, and agreed to help me. He is going to personally call the doctor he deals with the most, and who he has the most influence with, and go over with him that he feels strongly that I am of sound mind and this is the right choice for me. He said he has helped 6 other people go through elective amputation, every single one said they 100% are happy they did it, and a few wished they could have done it sooner.
I am looking forward to being an active father again - My son just won the Physical Education Award for his grade this year - he is in grade 2, and is an inspiration at every sport he does, I HAVE to be a part of this and this is the BEST way to do it!
I have an appointment with the rehab clinic in a week and a half to touch and feel various prosthesis, and see what it is all about first hand. Its not like a lot of people have the chance to go up to an amputee and ask to touch their stump.....not good amputeteiquette (can I trademark that?)

I came to this thread because I am ACTIVELY trying to find a story of someone who has gone through elective amputation and regrets it, or has had a bad experience, bad phantom pain, and I can not find anyone actively sharing a bad story. That tells me, that when someone says they are ready to have an amputation, and are willing to go through all the steps, then it really is time.

I am an above the knee amputee, right leg. I fought for many years to keep my legs going but after knee replacements, multiple revisions, many infections and discovery that I was allergic to some metals, I had to give consent to amputate my right leg. Since 2013 I have been trying to adjust to the loss of the leg. In the beginning it looked good for getting into a leg and getting back to my active self. I quickly found out that my body would not help me. Once again I have had problems with infections, sores that took forever to heal (no, I am not diabetic), a fracture in my left leg, broken parts in my left knee, requiring more surgery and now a knee that has issues with the ligaments and muscles from the many surgeries. I have been stuck in a wheel chair for too long and the shape of both limbs are distorted. I suffer from constant pain and the phantom pains are still there. My greatest loss though has been my independence and having to ask for help for simple things has caused me to constantly fight for my self worth. I am 65 years old and did not expect to feel as tired as I do.
I know that each of us are different and many will be successful in getting back to a life somewhere close to what they have had. My advice is to make sure you have a good support group behind you. From doctors, other medical support and family, friends who give you positive encouragement. I lost my leg after moving to a new state. My support is minimal and I struggle daily to keep myself going. I joined this group in hoping I could find out of the box thinkers to find solutions to everyday problems.

Hello Hendosgirl. I too am having an elective amputation and mine will be above the knee. I've had two knee replacements TKAs and two hip replacements THAs. Plus, 17 other major surgeries. I too am tired. I have an appointment with my trauma surgeon this Friday, October, the 13th to set my surgery date. Believe it or not I am looking forward to the surgery, the after pain no, and am looking to the future. I feel sort of like I am in limbo right now and have been every bit of research I possibly can. It was not an easy decision but I finally made up my mind then talked to my husband and children. The only constant comment I received was, "Was wondering when you would finally realize this is what needs to be done." If you are really considering this option, then it is probably time to find a surgeon that has done LOTS of the type of surgery you need and go for it. Good luck.