Amputation

Amputation is the removal of a limb by surgery.

Some types of amputation are foot amputations, ankle disarticulation, below-knee amputation, knee-bearing amputation, above knee amputation, hip disarticulation, amputation of digits, metacarpal amputation, wrist disarticulation, forearm amputation, elbow disarticulation, above-elbow amputation, and shoulder disarticulation and forequarter amputation.

It is usually done for medical reasons, but in some countries also as official punishment.

In 2003 27-year old Aron Ralston amputated his forearm using his pocket-knife and breaking and tearing the two bones, after the arm got stuck under a boulder when hiking in Utah.[1] (http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?nid=39&sid=27250)