Amputee Sports
Can I go swimming?
Swimming is excellent non impact cardio vascular training and you should get in a pool as often as you can. You do not need to wait for a water activity prosthesis – go in your normal limb to the pool side, take a towel, remove your limb with help if needs be, place it somewhere safe (or ask a life guard to do so for you) and go for a swim. When you finish, use that all important towel to dry your leg or arm, re fit the limb and walk carefully to the changing area.
Can I swim in the sea?
Yes no problem – but unless you choose to swim without a limb on in the sea which is more awkward – as safe places to leave your limb are more difficult to find and sand has habit of getting everywhere! – You need to speak to your prosthetic team about a limb that can cope with swimming in a sea water environment. This includes sailing, kayaking and surfing of course. Swimming the in the sea with a wetsuit on is great fun, good exercise and the legs and arms of the wet suit help provide additional suspension to your limbs. Get out there and book the family a body boarding lesson!… enjoy it.
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Amputee Work
Will I be able to drive agricultural machinery?
This will depend on your role and that machinery!
Will I be able to use woodworking tools?
Hand tools can be adapted in a huge variety of ways and often you will solve tool related problems with your familiarity of using implements quicker that the Prosthetist and OT!… speak with them and solve the problems together.
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Amputee People
How will I tell my kids?
Kids are much more inquisitive and accepting of situations than we imagine – tell them how it is, that you are having to re-learn the skills they can take for granted and involve them in your recovery — they will ask the most obvious questions and solve the most challenging issues simply by being direct and not stumbling over political correctness! — Be proud of their curiosity and there support. Use their needs for adventure and activity to drive you through the difficult days.
What will my kids think?
They will think what they want to think!.. But don’t hide the reality from them — they will imagine that bones are visible, that its been eaten by sharks or any number of other tales dreamt up in the play ground – talk it through with them involve them in the imb as a part of you and be careful they don’t run into it or trip over it next to the bed… hex head bolts are not too forgiving!
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Amputee Day-to-Day Living
Will I need to book a disabled hotel room?
No not necessarily — it will depend on your level of comfort and confidence — if you use a wheel chair then it may be more convenient and the hotel may have a policy of ground floor occupancy in case of fire evacuation etc but your strength and confidence will dictate if you can negotiate a hotel bathroom safely!
Will I slip in wet weather?
You will need to develop a new ‘feel’ through your prosthetic limbs and this will need to include slippery surfaces. Practice is the key and just take this slowly and plan your route carefully always considering “if I slip then where do I fall or what can I grab”, sometimes being prepared to fall or slip prevents injuries that can occur when things occur that are unexpected.
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Amputee Practicalities
How soon will I be able to walk?
That depends on how quickly you heal. If you have good circulation and no post-operative complications, you might be ready to use a prosthesis in a matter of weeks – your Prosthetist will be able to advise you. Your rehabilitation with specialised physiotherapy will start sooner. As soon as you can get in to see the team that will deliver your day to day and initial rehabilitation and speak to them about your aspirations, goals and what you did before – this will all help them to help you and will help you establish a time scale that you and your family can use as a guide for the next few months!
What will my prosthesis be like?
You’ll be given a basic limb to begin with, usually a month to six weeks after amputation. Your permanent prosthesis is prescribed as soon as possible and most people are fitted during the following 12-18 months – it can take longer depending on a huge variety of factors that yo rehabilitation team will discuss with you. Many previously fit and healthy people are fitted much sooner and will progress fast towards returning to the life they previously enjoyed. If you do well in your rehabilitation and you start to get active again, you may find different components are included to aid your lifestyle -and this is where discussing your needs clearly and early on in your recovery is key to the rehab team understanding what you want to achieve.
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