Daily inspection to note haematoma, infection or oedema
Ensure dressings are not too tight
Elevate below knee amputation sites as necessary to reduce oedema. Prevent flexion at the hip in above knee amputations with a sheet and sandbags at either side
Pressure points i.e. patella and anterior edge of resected tibia are high risk areas when patients are been bandaged
Below knee amputations sites must be bandaged pressing the posterior flap forward Posterior pressure on the posterior flap will cause tension on suture line or pressure with necrosis on the anterior resection margin of the tibia
Be alert for oedema, haematoma and even minor mis-alignment in the skin incision
While-many amputation failures are caused by poor surgical technique many also fail due to neglect in post operative care of the operation site