Grievous injuries can happen to any of us, and at almost any time. Risks are everywhere, and there is no knowing what medical troubles we might find ourselves facing around the corner. In terms of road-related injuries alone, there are around 28,000 serious injuries per year; as for the workplace, there are somewhere in the region of 215 per 100,000 workers each year.
These statistics do not touch the possibility of at-home injuries or accidents in public, to say nothing of the potentially horrific consequences faced by emergency or military personnel. Nor do they address the possibility of something as profoundly injurious as an amputation. Of course, amputations can be required for other medical reasons, too – but the impacts of suffering one are roughly the same, regardless the root cause. What are those impacts, and how can you properly address them on the road to recovery?
Emotional Impacts
The most obvious impacts are emotional, even psychological in nature. The loss of a limb is a significant change in life situation, and one that brings with it a wealth of personal and existential questions. Coming to terms with the loss of a limb, in many circumstances, can feel like a grief of sorts – something which can influence every part of your day-to-day, and which you cannot escape reminders of.
The physiological after-effects of amputation can also breed their own emotional impacts, with phantom pain being a key example. Phantom pain is at once real and unreal, and difficult to address without the right assistance. Failure to address this pain or discomfort can add to existing feelings of depression, anxiety and even anger.
Financial Impacts
Another impact of amputation that it is important to acknowledge is financial. While we are lucky to enjoy a free and fair healthcare system in the UK, there are still major short- and long-term ancillary costs to such a major life event. For one, skilled workers in many fields may find their career effectively ended by the loss of a limb. For another, depending on the scale of the event or procedure, there may be new accessibility needs or living costs to take into account. Prosthetics beyond the basic NHS-issued units are costly, too.
Navigating Recovery
Recovery is not a linear path, and neither is it a singular one. There are multiple threads you need to pull in order to gainfully meet all of the challenges you face after amputation. The financial challenges can be met legally, where amputation claims against negligent workplaces or other parties can see compensation awarded for loss of income, amongst other things.
Legal action is often chased as a curative measure for mental unwellness too. While closure can be a powerful thing, it cannot be a sole measure for lightening the heart. Therapy is a well-recommended step for new amputees to take, to help them understand their emotions and develop the right tools for fighting their own worst instincts.
