Adjustment to an Artificial Limb: A Qualitative Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors considered to be important in the adjustment to amputation and the wearing of a prosthetic limb from the perspective of the person who has had a lower limb amputation. Hence, focus group methodology was employed as a means of acquiring perspectives within a population of young adults who had a lower limb amputation. Preliminary thematic analysis revealed that factors such as self-image, social, physical and practical concerns, the meaning attributed to and the acceptance of the amputation and support among others were important in the adjustment process. These findings have substantial implications for directing future research.

Dating and intimate relationships of women with below-knee amputation: an exploratory study

“…Instead, women in this study preferred potential partners to be aware of the prosthesis from the outset, helping to reduce anxiety about how and when to 'reveal' it. This supports previous reports [8,45] of the awkwardness experienced by amputees when having to tell others about the limb loss and prosthesis.…”

Coping, affective distress, and psychosocial adjustment among people with traumatic upper limb amputations

“…For example, Livneh et al shorter follow-up times as previous research suggests that that psychosocial adaptation to amputation occurs over time (7,46). Third, although a substantial number of respondents met the criteria for clinically significant depression, the HADS utilized to measure this construct is not intended as substantiation of diagnosis, rather it serves as a screening measure.…”

Expectations of rehabilitation following lower limb amputation: a qualitative study

“…Education was seen as a key part of adjustment with patients often describing how they wanted to know what their prosthesis would look like and how it would function within their own lives. It was found that patients often benefited from contact with established amputees as they were seen as a valuable source of information, based on personal experience, which provided a form of positive modelling for amputees as well as helping to promote the change process [16]. It was suggested that patients may cope better with the amputation process if they know what to expect rather than fearing the unknown, illustrating the importance of patient expectations.…”

“…The importance of education has also been shown in a focus group study carried out by Gallagher and McLaughlan [16] aiming to identify factors that amputees felt were important in the adjustment process. Education was seen as a key part of adjustment with patients often describing how they wanted to know what their prosthesis would look like and how it would function within their own lives.…”