Amputee Support & Your Emotional Recovery

Taking care of your mental health throughout this journey is as important as your physical recovery. Rehabilitation after amputation is a long and variable process that requires resilience. It takes time and patience and consistent positive action. It’s not always easy. It is possible to build back into a life you enjoy. An amputation is in many ways similar to the loss of a loved one, and you will likely go through several stages of grief as part of your recovery. Grieving is how we open avenues of healing and renewal. Sometimes it will feel calm and natural, but it can also feel heavy and more complex. In difficult times, you can turn to your family and friends. Some people find it helpful to talk with others who have gone through a similar experience. If anything you experience starts to feel too much, we strongly encourage you to seek psychological support. Most people need some kind of support along the way and report that it has helped them get through the tough times and get back into the good times. Know you are never alone and it’s normal to feel a lot of different emotions. Just as with your physical recovery and rehabilitation, there are people and treatments here for you.

All about your amputation specialists & hospital team

There is a whole team of medical professionals involved in carrying out an amputation surgery. Here is some information about the amputation specialists who may be in your team, what they do and how they care for you. Together, this is the team of people who will do all they can to ensure you have a successful procedure, a comfortable stay in hospital and a strong start to your recovery. The team composition and the process will differ between a scheduled (elective) amputation and traumatic amputation.

Your amputation team may include:

Prosthetists

Head Amputation Doctor (Rehab Doctor)

Physiotherapists

Psychologists

Amputation is unlike many other medical procedures as it’s not often that we have someone in our social circle who has been through an amputation. It is a large life event and can involve working through significant grief. So it’s vital to and connect with resources such as an amputation support group. Of course everyone is different and everyone has their own story, but there are often similar themes and things that people experience and it can be so helpful and empowering to be able to talk openly and honestly with others who have been through an amputation. If you find someone you really click with, this person can be an invaluable source of knowledge, support and tested tips and tricks.

Taking your first steps with a prosthetic leg

Your first steps with a prosthetic leg will be exciting and a moment to celebrate. We encourage you to bring a camera to capture the special moment! Many people feel both excited and apprehensive at taking their first steps. Learning to trust your prosthesis will take time and comes from experience. During the process you will learn a little more about prostheses and life with a prosthesis. Continue to ask questions of your rehabilitation team. You aren’t expected to be an expert at this stage, so rely upon the experience of your team members.

The right technique

During your first steps you will receive guidance from your prosthetist, physical therapist or your rehabilitation team. They will monitor your progress and be by your side. It is essential that you learn the right technique and a natural gait. It is easier to learn to walk correctly at the beginning than to unlearn a bad habit later. Take your time and master the movements. Remember, learning to use a prosthesis is not a race.

While innovative prosthetic technology is getting closer, it is still not possible to completely mirror a natural walking gait. But the right exercises, technique and perseverance, can help you walk as naturally as possible. By working with the medical professionals, you can learn to walk more efficiently, expending less energy so you can walk farther, and minimising strain on your sound side, back and hips.

Tips to Prepare for Amputation Surgery

We understand that the time before surgery can feel overwhelming. You are in the process of going through a major life change that demands a lot mentally, emotionally and physically.

There is a lot to prepare for and a lot of new information to take in. The emotional load is significant and you will need to allow yourself generous time and support as you make your way into this new phase of your life.

On a practical note, there are some things to do to prepare yourself before amputation surgery – including a series of medical appointments to help prepare you for surgery, recovery and rehabilitation.

These articles are here to help you understand more about your preparation and the people who will be in charge of your medical care.

Post Amputation Pain Management

Many people experience localize pain in the residual limb after amputation. This is called residual limb pain, or nociceptor pain and may be acute or chronic. Always tell your medical team about any pain you are experiencing after amputation. Acute pain is always a warning sign of a physical disorder. Chronic pain lasts more than six months.

Some common causes for pain after amputation include:

Pressure points due to poorly fitting prostheses

Neuromas (benign nerve nodes at the site of a severed nerve)

Bone infection

Soft tissue infections

Necrotic muscle area

Not enough rounded bone edge

Wear of adjacent joints

Circulatory disorders

Venous congestion

Vasodilatation

Poor soft tissue coverage, soft tissue overhang

Adhesions of the skin and bones

Wart-like tissue enlargement or other skin changes

If you continue to experience pain even after your prosthesis has been adjusted or taking painkillers, your doctor may suggest corrective surgery.

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