# If you had to lose either an arm or a leg, what would it be? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 8, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405 "2005-04-08T16:04:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lukaspriest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5a626/32.png) [@lukaspriest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lukaspriest)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/1 "2005-04-08T16:04:08Z")
If you lose the arm, you lose it just above the elbow (we won’t specify if its your dominant hand or not) and if you lose a leg, you lose it just above the knee. We’ll assume that following the loss, you’ll be outfitted with an appropriate prosthetic appendage. This was a hypothetical question that came up with some friends the other day…it was interesting to see their reasoning. Personally, I would choose to lose a leg, without question…I recently shattered my arm and learned a whole new appreciation for having the use of both hands… what do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/2 "2005-04-08T16:08:29Z")
Leg, no question. I used to work with amputees and the ones who lost legs were able to rehab much more quickly. Learning to use a prosthetic leg is much easier than learning to use an arm. Think about the complexity of what you do with your hands as opposed to your feet. By the way, I once knew someone who had all four limbs amputated at once (below knee and elbow, but still!). That was one unlucky lady. ---
**Author:** ![lukaspriest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5a626/32.png) [@lukaspriest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lukaspriest)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/3 "2005-04-08T16:14:21Z")
Oh, I totally agree Brynda…one thing I failed to mention in the OP is that I actually work as a tech in a prosthetics facility, and I see the most mind-blowing things on a daily basis…anyhow, I’m intrigued by the differeing opinions people hold on the subject…one of my friends chose the arm, and wouldnt be swayed…to him, unhindered mobility was far more important than the use of both hands…so it’ll be interesting to see what others think… ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/4 "2005-04-08T16:16:50Z")
Leg. No question. Think of the alterations to your lifestyle you’d have to make regarding typing, computer use, video game use, driving, cooking, bathing, etc. I honestly just don’t use my legs as often as I use my arms and hands. ---
**Author:** ![beltbuckle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@beltbuckle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beltbuckle)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/5 "2005-04-08T17:22:20Z")
Arm, no question. After having broken my foot/leg and arm at seperate times, it was MUCH harder to function without use of my leg. With one arm, one can function reasonably well, and still get around just fine. When I did not have use of my leg for 3 months, it was like hell. Couldn’t do much of anything because I couldn’t GET there to do it (I am an avid outdoorsman). ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/6 "2005-04-08T17:29:12Z")
Definitely a leg. One of my grandfathers lost both legs in a coal mining accident. The other lost the use of an arm due to a stroke. The stroke victim was far more handicapped. The mining accident victim got around as well on two prosthetic legs as most people do on the ones they’re born with. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/7 "2005-04-08T17:51:23Z")
I use my legs but I work with my arms. 2 legs are helpful but 2 arms essential for me. Definitely leg. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/8 "2005-04-08T17:58:29Z")
I’d rather lose both legs than even one hand. Losing a hand would mean the end of my writing career, since I would not be able to train myself to use a prosthetic or voice software with the same speed and accuracy with which I type now. My day job would suffer as well since it’s data entry and requires two typing hands. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/9 "2005-04-08T18:13:57Z")
Leg for sure. I have a friend who only has one leg and that kid can hop like none other. And his leg is totally gone from the hip down and he gets along just fine. He can move ten times faster when he has his leg off than when he has it on. And he has insanely good balancing skills, too. Plus losing a leg is less noticible. If you don’t have an arm, there’s really no way to hide that since prosthetic arms/hands seem to still be in developmental stages. Got no leg? Just put on some pants and no one can even tell. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/10 "2005-04-08T18:14:10Z")
I’m living this right now. Last June I was riding my bicycle to work and was hit. I lost part of my hamstring and the sciatic nerve,leaving my leg with some movement but no useful function. I find it much easier to have both arms working and deal with the bad leg. Besides,if I lost an arm how would I operate my digital watch? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/11 "2005-04-08T18:15:36Z")
Leg, definitely. I know a guy with a prosthetic leg and he gets around just fine. In fact, I had no idea for a long time that he even had one. Whereas people with missing arms seem to have a lot more issues dealing with everyday activities. ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/12 "2005-04-08T18:20:22Z")
Another vote for leg for the reasons already described. ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/13 "2005-04-08T18:23:46Z")
Definitely leg. My two primary functions in life are typing (programming / posting) and playing video games. I would be quite depressed if it wasn’t possible, or too difficult to do those things. I used to tie my leg up with my belt and hop around, sometimes. I found it interesting to sort of see what it’d be like to only have one leg. Not having lost a leg, I think it is a pretty good approximation, if anyone wants to try it out to make sure of their decision. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/14 "2005-04-08T18:48:21Z")
As the question was posed, with prosthetics, losing a leg is a no-brainer. If you DON’T get to have a prosthetic, ie, must spend your entire life with only 3 limbs and no replacement bits, I think lost an arm might be better. Typing with one hand is probably easier than walking with one leg. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/15 "2005-04-08T20:59:05Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > If you DON’T get to have a prosthetic, ie, must spend your entire life with only 3 limbs and no replacement bits, I think lost an arm might be better. Typing with one hand is probably easier than walking with one leg. There’s always crutches and wheelchairs to get around in. Oooh, maybe I could get a Hoveround! Vroom---------------\>:D However, I do have nice looking legs, but I’ve never had men lusting over my arms. And it would be harder to get a good workout with only one leg than with only one arm, I would think. Still, I need both my arms. Crocheting while keeping the three cats away from the yarn is hard enough with two! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/16 "2005-04-08T21:00:19Z")
Upon further review, losing an arm would be a much better excuse to get a helper monkey… Nah, still going with the leg. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/17 "2005-04-08T21:05:35Z")
Leg. I can still earn a good living with only one leg. It’s gonna be a bitch to do my job with only one arm though. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/18 "2005-04-08T21:21:45Z")
Can’t you just, like, rough me up a little? ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/19 "2005-04-08T21:33:13Z")
Leg. I’m a flutist (and spend all my time online typing and such). I need both my hands. ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405/20 "2005-04-08T21:55:33Z")
Leg. After I collect my insurance payout from work I’ll be set to sit in front of a computer playing FPS games all day. Can’t do that with a missing arm! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-lose-either-an-arm-or-a-leg-what-would-it-be/298405.md?page=2)