Rehabilitation experiences following major lower limb amputation due to complications of vascular disease: a UK qualitative study

Milosevic, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1973-8286, Strange, Heather ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5758-8445, Morgan, Melanie, Ambler, Graeme K., Bosanquet, David C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2304-0489, Waldron, Cherry-Ann ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8465-2492, Thomas-Jones, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7716-2786, Harris, Debbie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7073-7724, Twine, Christopher P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0385-5760 and Brookes-Howell, Lucy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8263-7130 2024. Rehabilitation experiences following major lower limb amputation due to complications of vascular disease: a UK qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation 10.1080/09638288.2024.2329747 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Purpose Rehabilitation experiences of lower limb amputees with poorer physical health have not been fully explored. This study aimed to qualitatively explore experiences of rehabilitation amongst patients who had recently undergone amputation due to complications of vascular disease. Methods Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 patients participating in the PLACEMENT randomised controlled feasibility trial (ISRCTN: 85710690; EudraCT: 2016-003544-37), which investigated the effectiveness of using a perineural catheter for postoperative pain relief following major lower limb amputation. Framework analysis was used to identify key themes and compare participant data. Findings Three main themes and corresponding sub-themes were identified: (i) other patients as inspiration; (ii) other patients as competition; and (iii) imagined futures. Perceptions relating to other patients played a key role in rehabilitation, providing a source of motivation, support, and competition. Participants’ imagined futures were uncertain, and this was compounded by a lack of information and delays in equipment and/or adaptations. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of fellow patients in supporting rehabilitation following lower limb amputation. Enabling contact with other patients should thus be a key consideration when planning rehabilitation. There is a clear unmet need for realistic information relating to post-amputation recovery, tailored to the needs of individual patients.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0963-8288
Funders:	Health and Care Research Wales
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 May 2024
Date of Acceptance:	8 March 2024
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2024 17:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167989

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