What to Expect If You’ve Survived a Traumatic Amputation

When an individual survives a traumatic amputation, they come to learn that life begins to take a new path. Survivors will need to overcome new challenges and adjust to their new reality, a process which can be extremely difficult.

Therefore, if you have recently experienced losing an arm, leg, hand, or foot, you may initially feel intimidated by the daily obstacles. However, having an understanding of what lies ahead can help you navigate through the hurdles of challenges. Here are seven major things to expect if you have recently survived a traumatic amputation.

You may experience excruciating pain in the limb that is no longer there

Many individuals unfamiliar with this condition may not realize the possibility of such pain known as phantom pain. Phantom pain may or may not go away on its own. Phantom pain is a sensation characterized as the feeling of twisting, crushing, pinching, burning, and throbbing. Unfortunately, most individuals suffer with this pain in silence because they fear that their physicians, healthcare professionals or others will not understand. This condition is very real and can affect your everyday life in various ways. Therefore, communicating with your doctor about your phantom pain at your earliest is essential to receiving relief and returning to your recovery journey.

You will likely participate in physical therapy for years to regain certain functions

Regardless of the type of amputation you have experienced, your doctor will likely recommend starting a rehabilitation program involving rigorous and in-depth physical therapy. This is aimed at retraining your muscles and other body parts adapt to the absence of the amputated limb. It is important to remember that it can take years to successfully complete physical therapy or rehabilitation after an amputation.

You may have to relearn how to carry out both simple and major tasks

While there is often emphasis on completing major tasks, such as relearning how to walk, tit is also equally significant to acknowledge the importance of relearning minor tasks. For example, you may need to relearn how to independently bathe, dress, eat, and drive. These tasks require a significant amount of balance, coordination, and even motivation, factors that may influence after your amputation.

You will be emotional

When a person experiences an amputation, they will likely feel so many emotions simultaneously. These emotions involve depression, trauma, overwhelmingness, stress, frustration, and anxiety. In fact, individuals who undergo limb amputation often experience a sense of loss of devastation. Coping with the fact of undergoing an amputation, while also adjusting to their new reality, can take years. Many individuals will grieve and mourn their lost limb, before the amputation. Since the emotional and mental pain can take a toll on an amputee’s life, there is a high likelihood that they will need psychological therapy or counseling for several years to come.

You may need to learn how to wear a prosthetic and use various medical devices

Another difficult part of your journey after a traumatic amputation is learning how to wear a prosthetic and use medical devices. Most people never expect to learn how to do these things, but they may help make your life a lot easier after an amputation. This may require getting fitted for the prosthetic, getting used to wearing it, and learning how to use it. When you decide you need a break or simply do not want to use the prosthetic, you will likely need to use various medical devices, including a wheelchair, cane, crutches, walker, and more.

Your health risks will change

Amputations are serious surgeries, putting you at risk of severe complications. Some of these traumatic amputation include infections, chronic pain, swelling, muscle weakness, and severe bleeding. However, other general risks also come with major surgeries, such as heart issues, blood clots, pneumonia, and more. It is important to keep a close eye on your body and make sure you do not experience any unusual side effects or symptoms, as this could mean that you are experiencing a complication from your amputation. When this happens, you must seek medical attention immediately.

You will likely face certain financial challenges

You may quickly realize that your amputation is becoming increasingly costly. For example, you may receive hefty bills for your hospitalizations, surgeries, prosthetics, medical devices, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and pain prescriptions. These are the direct costs of your amputation.

However, there are also many indirect costs related to your amputation, such as lost income, home and car modifications, reduced earnings and salary, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. After noticing the many financial effects of your amputation, you may begin to worry about how you will provide for yourself and your family through this challenging time, which is why it is crucial to know that you do not have to go through this alone.

A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation against the individual or party who caused your amputation. They will listen to your experience, determine how much compensation you need to cover your losses, gather convincing evidence to support your side of the story, and aggressively fight for the damages you deserve to rebuild your life again.

At McNicholas & McNicholas, we understand the various challenges and hardships that amputations cause. When seeking help from our Los Angeles amputation injury attorneys, you will always be treated with respect, kindness, empathy, and compassion. While you focus on healing and recovering, our team will handle any hurdles that arise from your case. All you have to do is call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your free consultation, which will be held remotely for your convenience.

This blog should not be used as legal advice. Every case is based on individual facts and circumstances. Therefore, if you need legal advice regarding your specific case, you will need to consult a lawyer.