Residual Limb
The portion of an amputated limb remaining after surgery; the preferred clinical and editorial term, replacing the older term 'stump' in professional documentation.
Full Definition
Residual limb is the accepted terminology in contemporary rehabilitation and prosthetics literature to describe the remaining segment of a limb following amputation or congenital limb difference. The term reflects person-first language principles and is mandated by many style guides, including those of the Amputee Coalition and AOPA. Editors should replace 'stump' with 'residual limb' in all clinical and consumer-facing documents unless the source specifically uses 'stump' in a quoted passage. The residual limb's shape, volume, and skin integrity directly inform prosthetic socket design, so accurate terminology is clinically significant.
Usage
Usage note: Never use 'stump' in patient-facing or peer-reviewed editorial output. 'Residual limb' is the required professional term across North American and UK rehab technology publications.
In Context
- "Volume fluctuations in the residual limb were managed with prosthetic socks of varying ply." — Prosthetics clinical note
- "Editors should flag any use of 'stump' and replace it with 'residual limb' per the journal's style guide." — Editorial style guide