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Amputee Information
- Amputation, Prosthetics and Amputee Rehabilitation
- Amputee Sport, Recreation and Wellbeing
- Glossary
- Home, Work and Legal Rights
- Limbless Association Troubleshooter
- Mobility Aids, Equipment and Adaptations
- Phantom Pain, Pain Management and Stump Care
- Travel, Transport and Driving after Amputation
- Unhappy With Your Limb-Fitting Service?
- User Groups and Support Services
Limb Loss Legal Panel
. 0800 644 0186
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Need Help?
Helpdesk
01245 216671
Volunteer Visitors
01245 216674
Welfare Benefits
01245 216669
Limbless Association Troubleshooter
This is a quick guide to some of the most commonly faced problems & recommended solutions.Back / Hip Pain, Blisters & Sores, Phantom Pain
Always refer to your GP and/or Limb Fitting Centre (LFC) to report any problems/pain. Seek immediate medical advice on all health & comfort issues. For phantom pain, you should refer to your Consultant, Prosthetist, Pain Nurse and/or GP for specific advice. See our website for general information.
Stump Care
Refer to your Consultant/Prosthetist. Most Centres will give you specific advice. Our website also provides a useful document on this issue.
Stump Socks
Discuss the options with your Prosthetist and choose the right sock for you. If you are not happy, speak to your Prosthetist and try an alternative. If you run out of socks, contact your LFC directly. You should wear a clean sock everyday.
Silicone Cosmesis
The decision to fund and supply a cosmesis is made by your local Trust and the outcome can vary depending on individual needs and local budgets. Refer to your Prosthetist to see if this is available to you. If not, you would have to contact a Private Prosthetic Clinic.
Counselling & Therapy
Some LFCs have a counsellor on-site. Ask your Consultant about this or contact The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
Help for Carers
Help is available for cares. Government advice can be found here, while a charity website for carers can be found here. There are also two charities offering help to the parents of children with limb loss; namely REACH for children with upper limb loss & STEPS for children with lower limb loss.
Walking & Exercise
Exercise should be specific to you and its nature and extent may well change over the course of your rehabilitation. Always refer to a professional physiotherapist and get advice prior to starting any new exercise regime. You should cease activities that cause severe pain or discomfort and refer back to your physiotherapist and/or consultant for advice.
Complaints about your Centre
Always try to discuss these problems with the staff at the Centre first. If, following discussions, you are still unhappy then please contact the Limbless Association or discuss the issue with your GP, who may be able to refer you to a different Centre.
Disagreements with the NHS
There are guidelines for making formal complaints about the NHS. For more information, refer to this document published by the Care Quality Commission.
Disability Rights
For further information on disability rights, please contact the Equality & Human Rights Commission on
0845 604 6610 – England
0845 604 5510 – Scotland
0845 604 8810 – Wales
or visit their website – http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Private Treatment
For a list of private prosthetic clincs in the UK, please visit our Directory page.
Amputee Services Abroad
As the Limbless Association is a UK based national charity, the majority of our information is specific to the UK. If you are looking for information on another region, we would suggest that you try contacting the relevant local authority or healthcare service in that country.
Unwanted Prosthesis
Generally speaking, old limbs cannot be returned to the NHS as the components cannot be reused. However, several DSCs are able to dispose of old limbs via small charities or organisations that collect and export them overseas. We would suggest asking if your DSC is able to dispose of an old prosthesis in this fashion. Alternatively, please contact our office on 01245 216670 to see if we can help you find a suitable home for your old or unwanted limbs
Driving
If you own a driving licence, you are required to notify the DVLA if you have had an amputation. Your insurance premium should not go up as a result.
Holidays
Most travel agents should be able to provide specific information on disabled access and facilities on request. Most airports will have a Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) facility and it is worth contacting them before travelling to arrange assistance for the journey through the airport. Before travelling or going on holiday, it would be prudent to visit your Centre to ensure that everything is OK with your prosthetics.
Sport
Please visit the Sports section of our website or call our Sports Development Officer on 01245 216670. For specific information on sports in your area, please contact your local authority or look at our Disability Sports A-Z which can be found on our Sports page.
Volunteering
Contact the Limbless Association on 0800 644 0185 for information & advice or visit the Volunteer Visitor section of our website.