A preliminary examination of the relationship between employment, pain and disability in an amputee population

Abstract

The study demonstrates the need for further research to determine whether the results obtained regarding occupational changes following amputation result pain, disability, amputees' attitudes towards themselves in relation to work, or to employers' attitudes and beliefs about their capabilities. Further research is also required to determine why so few amputees make use of available services and why, even when they are used, such services are not perceived as being helpful. Finally, there is a need to clarify the relationship between the extent of daily prostheses use, the experience of phantom limb pain and employment status.

Ethics in Rehabilitation: Access to Prosthetics and Quality Care Following Amputation

“…Non-whites, those with low income, and those without commercial insurance are more likely than members of other groups to undergo a lower limb amputation for PVD rather than revascularization (a limb-saving procedure associated with better outcomes), even controlling for the severity of disease [30]. In the rehabilitation period, those with an income at or near the poverty line are 2.5 to 3 times as likely as their peers who are not in poverty to perceive barriers in their access to work or community life, and some studies have found that a smaller percentage of women with limb loss remained employed following their amputation(s) than their male counterparts [31,32].…”

Goal pursuit, goal adjustment, and affective well‐being following lower limb amputation

“…Amputation not only incurs permanent physical loss and concomitant functional impairment, but can also give rise to difficulties in other important life domains such as interpersonal relationships (Williams et al, 2004), occupational status (Whyte & Carroll, 2002), recreational activities (Couture, Caron, & Desrosiers, 2010), and sexuality (Geertzen, Van Es, & Dijkstra, 2009). Such pervasive losses and limitations represent a critical adaptational challenge that is likely to pose considerable threat to emotional well-being.…”

Developing Core Sets for Persons Following Amputation Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a Way to Specify Functioning

“…The typical spectrum of activity limitations and participation restriction relate to self care and extended self-care activities as well as mobility for lower limb amputees. 20 Consequently this affects the ability to return to and maintain work, 21,22 maintain social relationships, participate in leisure activities and be active members of the community. 23 Participation restrictions that a person with amputation may experience are also dependent on environmental factors as well as personal factors such as age, sex, level of education and ability to adjust.…”