Amputees are people who have lost a limb or part of a limb. Your limbs are your arms and legs. Losing a limb or part of a limb can be the result of illness or injury. Some people lose limbs in accidents or during a war. In other cases, people lose limbs as the result of illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and vascular diseases. If a limb or part of a limb causes great pain or threatens your health, you may need an amputation - surgical removal.