Challenges continue after losing a limb in a crash

You may never overcome the loss of a limb, but the adjustments you make just may help you prevail and carry on with your life. Granted, you face plenty of challenges thanks to the negligence of a driver whose car crashed into your motorcycle.

However, now, you must look ahead and face these challenges. Understand that there will be many. Even feeding yourself can be difficult, but you can confront each challenge. Such a strategy can only help.

Surgery, therapy and prosthetic limbs

A Rutgers University study noted that most traumatic amputations are the result of motor vehicle crashes (42.9%), industrial accidents (26.2%) and motorcycle crashes (21.4%). In addition, more than half of the amputations take place below the knee.

Here are some of the challenges you can expect after a traumatic limb loss:

• A number of surgeries: After removing the damaged limb, surgeons must reconstruct the remaining leg or arm. Careful work must be done when dealing with bones, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Plastic surgery and skin grafts also may be necessary.
• Lengthier times in the hospital: With additional medical treatment, you can expect more stays in the hospital.
• Therapy: A traumatic experience and injury may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological therapy may help you cope with what happened. In addition, physical and occupational therapy may be necessary to regain everyday and work-related skills.
• Adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb: You may have to consider different types of these limbs and have multiple fittings to find the right one.
• Facing everyday tasks: Using utensils to eat may be difficult, so can buttoning a shirt. Driving – a long-time sign of independence – also may prove challenging.

Your life will not be easy after losing a limb in a crash. But you still have a life.

Facing challenges the best you can

A new challenge may surface every day. Be prepared physically and, especially, mentally. You have experienced a life-changing injury. Your body, mind and spirit have each taken hits. Now, face these challenges the best that you can.