Dealing with Limb Loss
The amputation of a limb is a life-changing experience. It is a tremendous physical loss and, in many cases, emotionally devastating. Everyone deals with these feelings in different ways. Allow yourself to grieve and to feel your loss. Talk about how you feel with a caring friend or a mental health professional. It may help you to learn about the stages of the grieving process. Ultimately, you will reach a stage of acceptance. How long this may take varies from person to person but one thing is certain: when you are able to accept your new body image you'll be able to lead a happier life.
As you move through your recovery, it's important to remember that your family and friends will also struggle with grief and acceptance. This is entirely normal and to be expected. For everyone involved, a key to getting back into life after amputation is to put things in perspective and deal with one moment at a time. Try to enjoy every little success and accomplishment, and look away from any percieved obstacles.
Phantom Pain or Sensations
Phantom limb pain or sensation is the feeling that the amputated limb is still present. Virtually all amputees have phantom sensations to some degree; a much smaller percentage has phantom pain. Phantom pain significant enough to cause a patient to seek medical care, occurs in approximately five to ten percent of the amputee population. Phantom limb pain appears to be more common in patients who lose a limb at an older age. Phantom limb pain may develop immediately after injury or may develop weeks, months, or even years after the injury.
The pain may vary from a continuous cramping, aching, and burning to an electric shock-like sensation. Stress, anxiety, fear or fatigue will usually increase the patient’s discomfort. There are many different types of therapies that have attempted to relieve this pain, ranging from acupuncture to complicated surgical procedures. The best initial treatment is to determine the factors which increase the pain and to eliminate these factors. Talk to your prosthetist or physician on how best to address your situation.
Peer Support
Our patients tell us that shared experiences are some of the most beneficial forms of healing and recovery. Learning that you are not alone in your particular situation provides a great sense of comfort. It allows you to learn from others with like conditions how to deal with the challenges of daily living - what works and what doesn’t.
Ask your prosthetist if he or she can put you in touch with other prosthetic users with similar amputation levels. The support and encouragement of these advocates can help keep you motivated and on the road to a successful recovery. Additionally, there are numerous support groups and organizations available to see you through.
Maintaining Good Health
High quality prosthetic care is essential to your recovery. Equally important are the choices you make each day to be healthy.
Physical Therapy Physical therapy is a very important piece of your recovery and one that you many find easy to ignore. There is no question that it is hard work, but it is well worth the effort. Therapy loosens the residual limb and increases muscle tone and coordination. It helps keep your joints flexible, teaches you how to use your prosthesis properly and how to carry out daily activities.
Good Hygiene It is very important that your residual limb stay healthy, which means practicing good hygiene. Ask your prosthetist or physical therapist about the best ways to take care of your limb so that it remains in good physical condition. Additionally, if any of your components are uncomfortable, talk with your prosthetist right away. It may be a sign that something is not fitting properly which may negatively impact your limb.
Diet and Lifestyle A healthy diet and lifestyle is important for everyone, but especially for an amputee. Eating fresh, nutritious food and exercising regularly will help control medical conditions such as diabetes, which if ignored, may cause further complications down the road. Losing excess weight or maintaining a healthy weight will help increase your strength, give you more stability and prevent problems with your prosthesis. Ultimately, those who are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle will see better results.