Emotional recovery from amputation

Losing a limb is arguably one of the most challenging obstacles a person is ever likely to face. Our clients overcome many hurdles during their emotional recovery from amputation; from the early days leading up to surgery, right through to the adaptations and  milestones that come with their new way of life.

They do this with the support of their family and friends, with the empathy of their legal advisors, and with the care provided by their medical team. But mostly they do it by drawing on an inner strength they never knew they had as they navigate life after amputation.

Here, we outline the various emotional stages of losing a limb, and the incredible courage shown by our clients.

How do I adjust to this new reality after losing a limb?

There are various stages of emotional recovery following an amputation; all of which can present their own challenges. Often, amputees will experience mental effects of amputation like shock and denial. Patients can sometimes grieve the limb and experience phantom sensations which only add to this.

As an amputee, it is important to have a strong support network around you when coming to terms with amputation. It’s important both in the early days of your recovery and beyond, as you shape your new reality into something more positive.

Below are some concerns and considerations you may have about life after amputation:

• Leaving hospital: Will my home need to be adapted? Am I going to have to move?
• Going back to work: Can I do the same job that I had before? Will I be able to retrain?
• Moving forwards: Do I need specialist equipment? Can I manage it myself? Do I need help?

With a full multi-disciplinary team around you, these concerns can be addressed head-on; and solutions provided. A multi-disciplinary team includes not only your immediate medical team, but also:

• Specialist legal advisors
• Rehabilitation support 
• Prosthesis specialists
• Expert witnesses
• Architects 
• Building contractors 

Emotional recovery for amputees is a process that can look different for everyone. Having the right people on your side to take care of the logistics will help to lessen the emotional weight of the challenges you are facing.

The process of emotional recovery can be difficult. Get in touch with your GP if you notice any of these symptoms during your recovery:

• Constant sadness or mood swings
• Deep anxiety or panic attacks
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Trouble sleeping
• Appetite changes
• Thoughts of suicide or self harm

How do I prepare for surgery?

Richard Nieveen is a specialist at Proactive Prosthetics. He explains that when a patient is seen prior to amputation, there are numerous things to think about. Understanding the post-surgery process is also vital.

“The most important areas (for an amputee to consider) are surgery and rehabilitation. That means ‘good surgery’ in terms of socket design and fit; followed by the physiotherapy, retraining, and re-education.”

Meeting with your surgeon to discuss how the surgery will be performed and how the limb will be finished is extremely important. A good surgeon will advise on how best to prepare for your surgery, what to expect following the operation, and recovery time.

This is important not only to help you understand the physical process, but to help you prepare for the emotional recovery aspects. This can be an extremely daunting and stressful time, so it is important to communicate with your medical team and ask any questions that you might have. Understanding the process can help to ease any anxieties you may be facing.

You might also want to consider speaking to a therapist in the time leading up to the surgery, and in the months afterwards during your recovery period. A good therapist will help you to work through these issues in a proactive way.

Things to consider prior to surgery:

• Ensure you have a conversation with your surgeon around socket design and fit. The way your surgery is performed will impact this, and the socket design is key to a well-fitting and comfortable prosthetic.
• Consider the type of prosthetic most suited to your needs; if you enjoy a particular sport or hobby, you may need to consider this in the prosthesis you choose.
• Meet with your rehabilitation team in advance where possible to discuss post-surgery expectations, how the team will support you in retraining the body and what obstacles you may come up against.

Will my family be impacted by all this?

How families can be supported during this time:

• Include your key support network in as many meetings with your medical team as possible. Your family and friends will likely be the people closest to you following your recovery time in hospital, and will need to understand your circumstances fully in order to provide the best support at home.
• Talk to those closest to you. Losing a limb is not only a physical challenge; it is a psychological one that can impact the whole family. Try to remain as open and as honest with your nearest and dearest as you can throughout this time. Open communications will help to ensure those around you can adapt to your needs, and allows family members to communicate their thoughts too.

But what about when an amputation isn’t planned?

A planned amputation at least allows the patient to be involved in the decision-making process and offers some adjustment time prior to the surgery. However, some of our clients do face the unfortunate reality of going into surgery with a limb and coming out without one. This could be because the limb could not be saved following medical complications, or due to medical negligence.

In these circumstances, an amputation might have been the last thing the client expected and therefore, the emotional challenges are very different.

Losing a limb without any pre-warning can be very traumatic. Michael Gray, Medical Negligence Solicitor at Fletchers Serious Injury, explains that it can be really hard to see clients at their lowest point:

“In the early days following amputation, clients struggle to adjust to their new life. It takes a lot of time, a lot of talking and sometimes a lot of therapy for our clients to adjust to this new reality. In my experience, it’s only once we get over the psychological hurdles that we start to make some ground on the rehabilitation; enabling our clients to live the best life that they can.”

Louise Riley, Serious Injury Solicitor, agrees with this sentiment: “Amputation is a very traumatic life event. It is not just a physical challenge; it is a psychological challenge as well. And people react in different ways. I have seen people grieve the loss of a limb, in the same way you might grieve the loss of a loved one. It is a great life challenge, and it takes a great deal of strength.”

This grieving of a limb is an emotion that is typically prevalent for those who were not given a pre-warning about the surgery. This may be because they were not offered support about what to expect and how their life might be impacted following the loss of a limb.

Michael explains that there is a big difference in emotional responses across the two client types: those that don’t get the opportunity to be involved in the decision, and those who are actively involved in the process.

“It can be hard for someone to wake up from surgery not having been expecting to lose a limb. Whereas those clients who get to hear what the doctor has to say, weigh up the pros and cons, and are fully involved in what is going on, tend to adjust better.”

What ongoing amputee support is available?

Regardless of the circumstances, the emotional challenges for any amputee will be significant. It is therefore important to know that amputee support is available, from guidance with compensation claims to emotional support.

When processing your legal or compensational claim, your legal representative will be on hand throughout the journey. And we have strong relationships with professionals across all key touch points; empowering you to rebuild your independence through ongoing rehabilitation support, home adaptations, emotional support and counselling; and for many of our clients – with the additional support of our Court of Protection Team.

We work closely with the Amputation Foundation, who provide a support network for amputees – managing social events, outdoor activities and emotional signposting from other amputees who understand the challenges that come along the way.

There are between 5,000 and 6,000 amputations each year in the UK. It is important to understand that through this most challenging of circumstances – you are never alone.