What are the effects of amputation on your life?

Some accidents may so severely injuries your limbs that doctors cannot save them. In that case, amputation may be the only option.

An amputation can have far-reaching consequences. It might save your life, yes, but there are some physical and emotional effects you may have to live with for the rest of your life once doctors take this type of action. Such effects should not be taken lightly as they may forever alter your daily life.

Physical effects

Depending on the amputated limb, you may lose mobility or your sense of balance. In addition, you are likely to experience pain along the area where the amputation occurred.

You may also experience edema or swelling at the site of amputation as well as phantom pain, a kind of pain experienced by 80% of amputees. On top of that, fatigue may be a daily challenge you may have to deal with. The loss of a limb places an extra burden on the remaining ones, potentially resulting in physical exhaustion.

There is also the likelihood of an infection at the operation site as your healing progresses, complicating things a bit further. But, unfortunately, that is not where it all ends.

Emotional effects

In many cases, negative emotions and thoughts are common following an amputation. They may include:

• Denial
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Suicidal thoughts

Victims also suffer body image issues when thinking about how others might perceive them post-amputation. Besides, the accident that led to the amputation can cause victims to develop post-traumatic stress disorders, which they may have to deal with for the foreseeable future.

The way forward

Counseling may go a long way in alleviating some of the effects of amputation. Rehabilitation, too, can help you gain a new lease of life. As mentioned, the effects of an amputation can be lifelong, and if someone else is responsible for your injuries, you need to get the justice you deserve. It may include compensating you for your injuries which will likely help you ease into your new life.