Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Keeping some of your foot or as much of your foot as possible, and avoiding a prosthesis, may be important to your idea of yourself. It can be difficult to adjust to life with a prosthesis. You may have issues with balance and need exercises to adapt. Walking with a prosthesis costs more energy.⁷

Disadvantages

The more of your foot or leg you try to keep, the greater the chance of problems and the more time you will spend in doctor’s offices and hospitals.

As part of the treatment you may also need to wear special footwear and to avoid putting weight on the affected leg. People describe feelings of social isolation – worrying they were “a burden” on friends and family and remaining self-conscious about their wound.¹⁰