[Lived experience and management of the every-day life after lower-limb amputation caused by vascular diseases]

A lower limb amputation seriously restricts people's lives. Suddenly, they lose a crucial part of their body and their usual mobility. The main reason of lower-limb amputation is diabetes mellitus. People living with a chronic illness have to face permanent uncertainty. There is little knowledge about the experience of living with a chronic illness, and suffering from a lower-limb amputation. This study examines how people with a lower-limb amputation caused by vascular diseases experience and manage their every-day life. Grounded Theory approach has been used to examine the research question. Qualitative interviews have been conducted with nine amputees, and data analysis has been done by using the method of Grounded Theory as well. As a result of an amputation, people have to cope with severe loss: the loss of a part of their body with consequences on their body image, the loss of mobility, a following dependency on means such as wheelchairs and prostheses, and the loss of the ability to manage daily activities. In order to be able to manage their daily activities again, amputees need to regain their mobility. At the same time, this regained mobility enables them to perform activities of individual importance within their disability. The results of this study help to understand the challenge of every-day live after a lower limb amputation caused by vascular diseases, which should serve for a basis of support for these people.