r/amputee

I will start out and say that I recently became an amputee by the tip of my big toe (distal big toe amputation due to lawn mower accident, see post history) about 4 weeks ago. I understand in the grand scope of the amputee world that this is on the smaller end of issues, however, I think that others experience here can help me.

I was able to hobble my rear end to a friends 4th of July party and enjoy myself. There were plenty of people there and it was a good time. I was super bummed about not being able to enjoy the 4th with my 2 year old and this was the perfect way to pick me up. I was talking with some people about my accident, which I don't mind at all, everyone has been pretty damn respectable about it. However, one person's persistent comments kinda got under my skin a bit.

She kept bringing up "OMG you need your big toe to balance! you will never be able to balance right again. Even with a partial toe it will give you tons of issues...ect". Its like, yeah I get it, I am going to have long lasting issues. Hopefully my little stump helps me along but shit, thanks for the reminder. I was able to steer the conversation elsewhere after a few comments but it certainly put a big drain on my mood. It's been a rough 4 weeks and this was the first time I actually felt like I was back living life.

While people have brought that up previously, they always did so in a respectable manner (ie: I heard its important for balance, I hope you are able recover fully and return to normal or something along those lines). I guess this is a half vent, half seeing what other people do in these situations. I had some snarky/mean comments I could have said in return but I decided to fall back on the "If you dont have anything nice to say, say nothing". A younger version of me would have had a much different reaction.

Is there a reason why it's so difficult for the disabled to acquire a custom manual wheelchair?

I got Medicare approval, all the paperwork required, measured twice, but every DME place I tried was a failure. They're all incredibly slow, unprofessional, disorganized, & can't get their stories straight. WTF?!??

Hi Everyone,

Is anyone part of the club using Ai to help them with their journey? I have created a daily walk log which helps me keep track of comfort levels and pain scores when trying different things. The level of ai has improved so quickly i'm sure there are other things it could help us with.

I had a RAKA done just over a year ago due to osteomyelitis. I have been struggling a lot but felt there was a light at the end of my tunnel because I could learn to use a prosthetic and get back to some of my old hobbies I absolutely loved doing that I haven't been able to do for many years like camping, hiking, going to the beach, even just doing yard work lol. I have been working some with my prosthetic and slowly getting better but the pain in my stump has been getting so much worse deep in my bone. Thursday I saw my trauma surgeon who deals specifically with infections and he is convinced that with a bunch of scans and blood work I still have osteomyelitis maybe up all the way to my hip and was told he might have to take most of the remaining femur. So I guess that means I won't be able to use a prosthetic and get back on two feet again... correct? Instead of the light at the end of the tunnel getting closer it feels like it's getting further and further away....

Hey all! A recent above-knee amputation here, it all happened about 3 weeks ago. All in all, I'm pretty positive about life still but boy, I sometimes have the sensation where it feels like my leg that was once there especially my foot is asleep. I'm currently still on medication, gabapentin, but even that at this point is doing nothing for this feeling. It comes and goes but when its here its TOUGH. My nerves were apparently tucked into other muscles in my residual, which is supposed to minimize phantom limb but if this is it minimized, id hatte to be on the other side.

28f
8yr & 5m I had via with a sperm donation.
I’m retired.
I was in a horrific accident. I lost my left hand on impact below the elbow and my right leg below the knee and my right hand pinky.

I am also burned on the entirety of my right arm, hand, shoulder, right backside down my right backside forearm, and I have skin graphs on there and also burns all over my body except my face.

I’m not lonely, but I’m not not lonely. If you understand what I’m saying. And maybe I’ll meet the love of my life on Reddit lol 🫪🫪

I tried dating
I can still do a lot of things how I’m keeping a whole newborn alive plus taking care of my son, but I guess the guys that I’ve been with are very superficial,
I’m more than my body
I am very beautiful if I do say so myself and I need someone to s e e me.

PA’S- I really want more kids. Message me.✨🧿

How long does it take to get the prosthetic after you’ve been measured? My doctor said that they should fit me for a temporary leg; does that sound right? I might be to anxious about walking again but I sure would like someone to help me.

Hey guys !! I am hoping I can get some help here. I'm posting this for my son who is a below the knee amputee. I'm wondering where you all buy your liners from for your prosthetic leg. Why are they so darn expensive ?

It's really a sin and it makes me sick!!!

If I'm correct I understand there's gel and then there's just regular cotton??

He has Blue Cross Blue Shield and we don't know if they'll cover any of this and will find that out. I'm wondering if any of you all that have insurance if they cover any of the medical supplies that you need? It's really been a rough road for him he's had one problem after another. As his mother I want to fix everything and as we know I can't.

So if you could share any and all information where you all get your medical supplies from I would really appreciate it. This board doesn't seem too active so I'm hoping somebody will see this that can help.

Thank you so much if you've read this far and you can help, it's appreciated.

Hi everyone, I am due to have a below knee amputation in a couple of weeks and I know I’ll be set exercises by the physios, but wondering if an EMS machine will help prevent muscle wastage while I’m waiting for a prosthetic. Has anyone had any experience of using them and had any success? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: some information I always forget to include
- my pain management team is planning on doing cryotherapy at the time of my surgery to try and mitigate some of the pain
- my outlook is overall very positive, I just want to make sure I’m honest about my feelings so I can get the best feedback

Hi everyone,

I’m 28F and have made the decision to amputate my left leg below the knee. This decision did not come lightly and took cancer, and two graft failures to come to. My surgery is scheduled for 7/17/26 and I’m just looking for advice on what I can expect (I know everyone is different). I’m also looking for advice on anything I can bring to the hospital to make the transition easier. Any advice on making home easier to navigate is also welcome!

I am scared, nervous, and grieving. But I’m also weirdly excited? I’m not expecting the road to be easy, but I am excited to get my life back.

I’m pretty much an open book, so any questions, feel free to ask!

I lost my toes 8 years ago to a congenital condition that's been destroying my extremities since I was a teenager. They went first because the disease seems to be trailing behind in my hands.

The occasional pain, CRPS and skin problems in my fingers have been manageable so far. But today is the worst ever: 3 of my fingers on my left hand are so painful I can't use my hand at all. They're hot, swollen, my skin and the underside of my fingernails are self-destructing and I bleed randomly every 10 minutes.

It's the same story all over again, but this time with my fingers. And it's just the beginning: I know how long I'll be fighting this getting worse and worse until I start popping insane amounts of painkillers and getting hooked again in a few years. But this time, there's no way out: amputation was an option for my toes, but it isn't for my fingers.

I'm facing years of this shit again and I know I'm already out of options. Not that it's news to me, I knew it was coming, but now it's here and that really feels rough.

Sorry I just needed to vent... It's midnight, my wife is asleep and I'm all alone with my thoughts at the moment.

Hello, my husband was born without his left hand and forearm. He has adapted with his lack of hands but we are soon to be new parents and I know his stressing about how he would care for our baby. Any suggestions or even videos that can help both of us care for our baby would be greatly appreciated.

Today, July 1st, is the second anniversary of my right above the knee amputation. I celebrated with a key lime pie. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years. I have to say I’ve learned a lot. I learned I have to work out regularly, not just my leg and walking practice. I learned I have to go at my own pace. I still can’t walk outdoors without my cane or forearm crutch, but on the other hand, I went to Spain twice on my own, one time for two months. I learned to accept help if I fall, and I’m gonna fall. I learned not to compare myself to others. That was the hardest lesson at first.

My pegleg uses a suction socket to stay in and I swear I can blow a hole in the outer sleeve just by looking at it wrong. I just got a new one 3 weeks ago tops and there’s already a hole in it and I’m not getting vacuum. Drives me nuts, you’d think I was genuflecting in broken glass and nails and not just living a normal day to day.

Hello all,

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I will be having my right leg amputated below the knee, due to complications from a severe car crash and multiple surgeries and barely being able to walk because of it. I was just curious if anyone had any bits of wisdom on how to prepare for surgery and how the first few months of recovery/ prosthetic use look like.