Good luck, Elle.

I had my leg amputated a year and a half ago, after 11 years of trying to fix a leg that was badly smashed up in a car accident. I know it's scarey, but for me it was the best decision I ever made. I've never regretted it. After spending years in pain and endless rounds of medical appointments and surgeries, I have my life back. A week after the amputation I felt physically more comfortable than I had for half of my life. After the second postoperative day I felt surprisingly good. I just wish I had it done years ago. I'm much happier and more mobile without a mostly dead and painful body part hanging off me.

I hope you can save your knee. It's much easier to use a prosthesis if you have your own knee, even if it's not a very good one. Even if you get a prosthesis where the weight is carried by your thigh, having a BK stump gives you a lot more control.

Since you have some time, I strongly(!) recommend selecting and meeting with prosthetists now. They can help you plan how you want to proceed and prepare you for fitting after surgery. Your relationship with the prosthetist will crucial for your quality of life. Not all of them are good, so I would see if you can find an amputee organization in your area to get recommendations. Also, orthopedic surgeons aren't necessarily as knowledgeable about prosthetics as they think. Another reason to talk with the prosthetist now is that legs are expensive. Mine costs more than my car, although yours will be much less. Planning carefully makes a big difference.

Unlike you, my leg was amputated almost up to the hip. My pelvis on that side is barely held together by a lot of metal and prayers. It's hard for me to use a prosthesis and now I usually just use crutches. However, I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that I decided to have the amputation. People notice me more, but I don't actually feel disabled now because I'm mobile again and most of the time nothing hurts.

Good luck to you. You are doing a great job. Keep us posted.

-Sue