April is Limb Loss Awareness Month! Amputees, caregivers, prosthetic professionals, supporters, and families all come together to celebrate their journey and raise awareness for amputees. More than 2 million Americans live with limb loss or limb difference, while millions more are at risk for amputation every year.

When the Amputee Coalition created Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month over a decade ago, their intention was to create a month for the amputee community to come together and honor their individual journeys, educate others on ways to prevent limb loss, and showcase resources available for amputees, caregivers, and their families.

Facts About Limb Loss

1. In the US there are over 2 million individuals that have experienced limb loss or were born with limb differences.
2. In America, 300-500 amputations occur every day. Globally, amputations happen once every 30 seconds with over 1 million amputations annually.
3. The 4 most common issues that lead to amputation are diabetes, vascular disease, neuropathy, and trauma.
4. Foot ulcers precede 85% of lower limb amputations.
5. The earliest known artificial limb was an artificial toe that dates back to the Early Iron Age (950 - 710 B.C.E.) and was found in Egypt.
6. Anxiety and/or depression is experienced by approximately 30% of people with limb loss.
7. Healthcare costs for people who experience limb loss can add up to over half a million dollars throughout their lifetime.
8. Below-knee (BK) amputations are the most common amputations.
9. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq resulted in 1,558 military personnel losing a limb.

How to Celebrate Limb Loss Awareness Month

Wear Orange

During the month of April, you can wear orange to show your support for individuals with limb loss and limb difference. You can also change your online profile pictures to include the orange limb loss awareness ribbon.

Connect with Community

During Limb Loss Awareness Month you can connect with other amputees as well as prosthetists, caregivers, and support groups in your area for empowerment through community support. Kenney Orthopedics offers a Peer Mentorship Program along with Amputee Walking Schools offered in multiple states to offer amputees the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other while also learning helpful walking & strengthening techniques.

• 2022 Amputee Walking Schools in April
• April 28 in Indianapolis
• April 30 in Lexington
• Click here for a complete list of Amputee Walking Schools in 2022

Share Your Experience

Limb Loss Awareness Month is all about celebrating the individual journey that each amputee goes through and learning through each of their experiences. Share your story in April 2022 by using the hashtag #showyourmettle to share photos or stories about your experience with the digital amputee community.

Celebrate Limb Loss Awareness Month (April 2022) with your team at Kenney Orthopedics. We can come together to spread knowledge, offer support, and empower those in the amputee community. Kenney Orthopedics has locations near Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY; Indianapolis, IN; and Charlotte, NC. Contact Kenney Orthopedics to discuss any prosthetic or orthopedic needs or to receive more information about the peer mentor programs and Amputee Walking Schools which are offered throughout the year.