Life after Lower Limb Amputation: A Meta- Aggregative Systemic Review of the Effect of Amputation on Amputees

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the lived experience of lower limb amputees with respect to their lives following amputation, both before as well as after using prosthesis. Materials and Methods: Meta-aggregation of qualitative studies in the field of lower limb amputation was conducted utilizing the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI) designed for the synthesis of qualitative research by the Joanna Briggs Institute, 2011. The searches were carried out between September to November 2019. The reviewed studies had samples consisting of adult having lower limb amputation and prosthesis use.  A total of 68 potentially relevant papers published in the period starting from 1978 to November 2019 were identified and finally eight papers were included for the meta-aggregation. Result: The meta-synthesis of the findings from the eight studies considered derived three major themes, i.e., amputation as a sense of exclusion from life, embodiment of new self-identity and prosthesis enabled identity.Conclusion: Lower limb amputation affects the physical as well as psychological well-being of an amputee. This review also features the importance of prosthesis in the life of lower limb amputees in reviving them from the negative impacts of amputation.