Losing a Limb

November 5, 2015 4:25 PM

From a non-medical perspective, what is it like to recover from having most of a leg amputated?

Without any warning, a client of mine recently had a leg amputated. Besides the medical aspect, what is the healing/recovery process like after losing a limb? I have worked with many amputees but never been there immediately after an amputation. I'm thinking both short and long term issues. I don't know what to expect in the months/years ahead. I've worked with this particular client for 3+ years and we have a very good rapport.

(FWIW I'm not involved in medical care but stories from all types of professionals would be welcome.)

posted by kittensofthenight to Human Relations (5 answers total)

Best answer: What was their mobility like before this event? It can be a big transition for the fully mobile, as well as adapting to new gear, new pathways, and adjusting to how the world sees someone whose limitation is apparent.

Some docs are great with connecting patients with assistive devices, others wait for a patient to bring MVA forms to them. If it's the latter, connecting with state assistive technology loaning libraries help folks figure out what matches their needs before committing to a purchase. (U.S., Someone else can speak to UK)

There is a lot of sheer "finding your way" amid healing which is exhausting. The learning curve shortens if you client can find their tribe (Google sudden amputation support group & similar) or medical/diagnosis group to benefit from those who have travelled the path and learn from their experiences, such as dealing with phantom limb pain

It's big, exhausting change. I meet people who are considering, or returning to work. The quality of support influences their demeanor as we work through effective accommodation.
posted by childofTethys at 6:45 PM on November 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

I don't have any experience working with recent amputee clients -- just that what I'm zoning in on in the statement "losing a limb" is: loss. It might make sense to approach this in a way similar (but not identical!) to grieving, so I imagine there will have to be some process of mourning. Not just for the leg itself, but also the futures foreclosed by that loss, the things in your client's life they might have to give up, their very sense of self and who they were, are and might have been. Certainly this is not going to be all of it, but just as a first step, I'd think of framing it that way.
posted by obliterati at 7:21 PM on November 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I can't speak to this directly, but I recently broke my foot and haven't walked in a month and it's just straight up depressing. I know I will regain the ability to walk, but the feelings of helplessness aren't any less for the time being. I've felt like I have no control or independence and it's just hard. I haven't been able to have my normal routine and I feel like my life is on hold. To feel this way forever and to have to face that this would be a "new normal" would be very difficult to come to grips with.

I also have a loved one who was hit by a drunk driver and he will never physically be able to run, swim, bike, ski, hike, etc. ever again. It's been a constant emotional battle for him. I can tell he is depressed but doing his best to fight it off. He's trying to still live his life, but he sees himself as a "cripple" now and misses the way things were. I imagine someone who lost a leg will feel similarly.

I think there will be good days, where your client will feel like they can deal with everything, and days where it just hits him or her how much it sucks, and they aren't going to want to do anything other than sulk. It's going to be difficult and rocky, so I think any sense of normalcy or being able to still live life will be valuable.
posted by AspirinPill at 9:14 PM on November 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Might be worth reading Oliver Sacks "A Leg To Stand On" - not about amputation but it does cover some of the experience of losing and re-learning mobility.
posted by crocomancer at 4:13 AM on November 6, 2015

Best answer: Seconding AspirinPill above--I broke my ankle in 2006 and it was honestly the worst, hardest thing that's ever happened to me. It sounds sort of silly now, in the future, but the changes to even the most basic things were surprisingly hard to come to grips with. Everything from showering, sleeping, working, driving, etc. was affected and made more difficult. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to know that it wouldn't all be better in 6-12 months, but was permanent. My cousin's husband is an amputee and now, a decade after his accident, he is happy, healthy, confident, etc., but it definitely had lasting effects on him. Your question is a little big vague, so I would just say that the recovery is going to be very long and difficult both mentally and physically, so take it easy on your client.
posted by masquesoporfavor at 11:39 AM on November 7, 2015 [1 favorite]