Davis Law Group, P.S.

Amputation Statistics in the United States

Amputations are life changing and makes for an extremely difficult lifestyle in some cases. As a personal injury law firm, we see many catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of another person or entity. Some of which, require amputation.

Closer look at amputations in the United States

• 50,000 new amputations annually, nationwide based on data from National Center for Health Statistics

• Ratio of upper limb to lower limb amputation is 1:4

• 61,000 partial hand removals. The most common amputation is partial hand with loss of 1 or more fingers.

• The next common amputation is loss of one arm at about 25,000.

• About 350,000 people have experienced amputation in the U.S. – 30% are upper body.

• 10% of upper body amputations are of wrist and hand.

• 60% of total wrist and hand amputations are transradial.

• 70% of all persons with upper limb amputations have amputations distal to the elbow.

• In the U.S. 41,000 persons are registered who had an amputation of hand or complete arm.

• 60% of arm amputations are between ages 21 and 64 years and 10% are under 21 years of age.

Causes leading to amputation

• Reasons for amputation include cardiovascular disease, traumatic accidents, infection, tumors, nerve injury (trophic ulceration), and congenital anomalies

• Most frequent causes of upper limb amputation are trauma and cancer, followed by vascular complications of disease

• Right arm is more frequently involved in work related injuries

• Congenital upper limb deficiency has an incidence of approximately 4.1 per 10,000 live births


Davis Law Group sends warm thoughts your way if you have been seriously injured and lost a limb. If you suffered from a catastrophic injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, loss of wages and pain and suffering. Call (206) 727-4000 for a free consultation.