A variety of factors determine which part of a limb is amputated. If trauma is the cause, the level of amputation is usually determined by which parts of the body were injured. For people whose amputation is caused by disease, the determination is based on the person's circulation and what the surgeon thinks will heal.

In general, the longer the remaining limb and the more joints that are preserved, the easier it is to fit and use a prosthesis. Also, the energy needed to walk increases as the limb becomes shorter.

The major categories of lower-limb amputation include:

• Foot Amputations: This is a catchall category that includes any part of the foot. It may be toes or a portion of the foot. The types of amputations that fall into this category are:
• Toe amputations
  • Mid tarsal amputations
  • Lisfranc amputation
  • Boyds amputation
  • Symes amputation
• Transtibial Amputations (below the knee amputations): These include all of the levels from the knee to the ankle.
• Knee Disarticulation: This amputation occurs at the level of the knee joint.
• Transfemoral Amputations (above knee amputations)This amputation includes all levels of thigh amputations from the hip to the knee joint.
• Hip Disarticulation: This level of amputation is at the hip joint with the entire thigh portion being removed.