Amputee Life — Coping with Limb Loss

Phantom limb syndrome is a condition in which patients experience sensations, painful or otherwise, in a limb that doesn’t exist. It can be a debilitating condition that makes the road to recovery challenging. Furthermore, there seems to be a connection between the presence of phantom limb syndrome and the development of one or more mental disorders.

Many people cope with limb loss by pouring their energies into various endeavors—running marathons, sailing around the world, writing books, and other incredible feats. However, it’s also important to acknowledge the other side of the coin—some go through grief and depression after limb loss. If you are going through the latter, you are not alone.

Losing a limb is a life-altering experience. While some can jump in to getting used to their new body, others take a bit more time, which affects their relationships, work, and all other areas of life. It’s also important to note that different people respond differently to the loss of a limb. Hence, the path to emotional healing isn’t a straightforward and linear process everyone can follow.

The Ukrainian military has been sending its amputated soldiers to a rehabilitation center in Lviv, in western Ukraine. However, it doesn’t look like the usual rehabilitation facilities we are used to—it’s a horse farm.

Are lower-limb amputees at a high risk of malnutrition or undernutrition? Researchers seem to think so. In Singapore, a team of researchers found evidence—albeit limited—that showed a high prevalence of lower-limb amputees at risk of malnutrition and undernutrition.