Amputee fetishism is a sexual fetish in which an individual is attracted to amputation and amputees.

Within the nomenclature of sexology, an attraction to amputees and amputation may be known as either acrotomophilia (from the Greek akron (extremity), tomein (to cut) and philein (to love)), or amelotatism, while the attraction to amputating one's own body parts is known as apotemnophilia. John Money (1977) referred to autoapotemnophilia and alloapotemnophilia to describe the erotic interest of wanted to be an amputee versus wanting amputees as sexual partners; neither term has been widely used since.

Interests and behaviours

In a survey of acrotomophiles, leg amputations were preferred over arm amputations; amputations of a single limb, over double amputations; and amputations that left a stump, over amputations that left no stump.According to Solvang (2007), “Devotees adhere to standard conceptions of attractiveness in all other matters outside of amputations.” Digital images (usually from porn sites) are often produced or modified to represent a desirable amputation or amputee. This procedure may be known as Electronic Surgery (abbreviated "ES") within the internet fetish communities.

Community groups and language

Groups dedicated to the benefits and pleasure gained from amputation as an actual practise or as a fictional concept have developed on the internet. Members of these communities may refer to their status as an Amputee Devotee, Amputee Wannabe, Amputee Lover, or Amputee Admirer.

Two- and three-letter abbreviations are also used between the members of the communities to describe types of limb amputations.

• AK: Above Knee
• AE: Above Elbow
• BK: Below Knee
• BE: Below Elbow

The addition of L or R indicates right or left. The abbreviation LBK would thus describe a left leg amputated below the knee.

Single Amputations begin with an “S”. For example, a single amputation of one arm would be called “SAE” for “Single Above Elbow”. If the single amputation were on the left or right arm (Above the elbow), it would be called “LAE” or “RAE” respectively. And if the amputation were below the elbow, it would be called “LBE” or “RBE” respectively. The same goes for amputations occurring on the legs, where single above the knee would be “SAK” or “LAK/RAK” following the previous logic. There would also be “LBK/RBK” for under the knee.

Identical amputations on both sides of the body are prefaced by a "D": DAK would describe a double above-knee amputee. These are also known as "bilateral" amputations, so BAK would be equally valid.

A Disarticulation Amputation involves the removal of bones at the joint by the Amputation of the joint. The addition of L, R, D, or B apply.

• WD: Wrist Disarticulation
• ED: Elbow Disarticulation
• SD: Shoulder Disarticulation

• AD: Ankle Disarticulation.

The AD amputation is also known as an "Symes amputation" after Dr. James Syme.

• KD: Knee Disarticulation
• HD: Hip Disarticulation

The absence of three limbs and the total absence of limbs is described by the terms TRIPLE and QUAD amputee. Thus, the most extreme form of amputation would be a DSD + DHD. A double hip and double shoulder disarticulation, that will leave the person without any stumps, disabling the ability to use any artificial aids.

Within the Amputee Devotee Community, there are trace amounts of finger and toe amputation devotions that can be found. Even though these attractions are equally valid, there is no single, well known system for identifying specific such amputations.

There is also a small group of devotees that have fetishes with amputations of the eyes.

RI-Right eye

LI-Left eye

Ethical issues

The question of whether actually amputating one's own body parts or encouraging or operating on a partner for the sake of sexual pleasure is morally legitimate is problematic. For some; modifying the body is a private ritual of self-ownership and freedom of choice, while psychiatrists may call on a form of disorder such as body integrity identity disorder (B.I.I.D.).

References

• Ian Gregson. (2007). The Acrotomophile (or devotee): An Amputee's Perspective. Amputee Web Site. Retrieved: 2008.02.08.

See also

• Paraphilia
• Attraction to disability
• body dysmorphic disorder
• genital modification and mutilation
• BIID - Body Identity Integrity Disorder
• Boxing Helena - A feature film concerning amputee fetishism.

External links

• http://www.overground.be/ Overground website
• http://www.transabled.org/ Transabled website