Foot amputation is a significant surgical procedure that removes a portion or all of the foot. Recently, we’ve learned that Lavar Ball, famous basketball father to NBA players LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, had his foot amputated after a “serious medical issue.” Known to be outspoken, lively, and a former athlete himself, Lavar’s foot loss comes as a surprise to the sports community. Today, we at Your Next Step will talk about his foot amputation, what could have caused it, and how amputation affects people’s lives post-surgery.

When is Foot Amputation Necessary?

While it’s often a last resort, foot amputation can be necessary to preserve health and quality of life in certain situations. Several conditions could have led to Ball’s foot amputation, including:

• Peripheral Artery Disease: This condition involves narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to the legs and feet, leading to pain, numbness, and slow-healing wounds.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, and poor circulation in the feet, which increases the risk of ulcers, infections, and amputations.
• Severe Infections: Untreated or uncontrolled infections in the foot, such as those caused by diabetic ulcers or gangrene, can necessitate amputation to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
• Trauma: Severe injuries to the foot, such as crush injuries or those with extensive tissue damage, may require amputation if the foot cannot be salvaged.
• Tumors: In rare cases, cancerous tumors in the foot may require amputation to prevent the spread of cancer.

Preventing Foot Amputation

Lavar Ball’s case is shocking, and it shows how quickly the feet of a seemingly healthy individual can become seriously affected by disease. Despite this, many amputations can be prevented with proactive care and management of underlying conditions. This includes diligently managing diabetes through blood sugar control, regular foot exams with a podiatrist (especially for those with diabetes or other risk factors), and quitting smoking (due to damage to blood vessels and poor circulation).

Beyond these, addressing any foot pain, injuries, or infections promptly can prevent them from worsening and potentially leading to amputation. Infections especially lead to amputation, as research suggests roughly 85% of removals are caused by foot ulcers.

Impact of Amputation on Mobility and Quality of Life

We’re not sure what necessitated Lavar Ball’s amputation, but sometimes what caused it doesn’t go away, especially in the case of diabetes. Afterward, they often still deal with the disease, in addition to the new challenges of amputation that affect a person’s mobility and quality of life. These include adjusting to prosthetic devices, learning to walk again, and coping with phantom limb pain.

Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, and Dr. Cassandra Stache are happy to solve your foot and ankle problems. Book your appointment and contact us today!