Lived experience of persons with an amputation of the upper limb

SummaryBackgroundAmputations are done daily over the world in an attempt to save a person’s life, treat a disease symptomatically or to improve the functionality of a person. Amputation causes disfiguration, a mutilated body image and physical disability with multiple aspects that the person has to deal with.ObjectivesThis qualitative phenomenological study was designed to explore the lived experience of individuals with an amputation of an upper limb to provide an evidence base to support nursing interventions.MethodsA sample of eight participants with amputation of an upper limb, living in the southern sub-district of Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa, took part in a semi-structured interview. One open-ended central question was used to focus the interview: “Please tell me about your lived experience after losing your arm through an upper limb amputation”. Data were analysed using content analysis with open coding. Seven themes were identified from the data.ResultsThe themes emerging from the interviews were: Initial reaction post amputation, support from immediate family, support facilitated adaptation and independence, amputation had financial implications, external response to disability, recurrent physical problems and acceptance is a process. Data have shown that effective communication between multidisciplinary team members; discharge information and ongoing support on an outpatient basis are needed to assist with the adaptation process of the individual to amputation.DiscussionIndividuals with an amputation of an upper limb need an effective multidisciplinary approach to care, clear discharge information and ongoing support on an outpatient basis to accept amputation of an upper limb effectively.