The most curious thing about my amputation is what is generally called “phantom” limb pain. I prefer the phrase phantom limb sensation, because often it’s just the constant feeling that the limb is still there, rather than actual pain. Pain certainly happens—like a sudden, bad cramp—but I also remember the first time I put my prosthetic foot down and could distinctly feel my toes, and there was no sense of “pain”.
Why does this happen? The most common theory, at least for me, is that after 55 years of having a limb, my brain hasn’t just forgotten it. However, the research suggests through brain plasticity, we can learn to live with these sensations.
I’m currently involved in a trial looking at different therapies for dealing with this, and had my first session with a physiotherapist today.
I’ve also reached out to a UK researcher studying the positives associated with amputation, and will be chatting with him tomorrow night.
Recently, I spent a whole day flat on my back as a “pretend patient” for twenty doctors taking their specialist exams. The role of “a 52-year-old dairy farmer with a lower leg amputation” was one I felt qualified to play—I took “method acting” to a whole new level!
I have also visited Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) in Sydney, participating in a study on limb loss. The two-and-a-half-hour session involved walking on a treadmill with sensors, which measured my heart rate and walking patterns. It was a genuinely fun experience. The preliminary analysis was fascinating: my walking was actually indicated to be slightly more even on my prosthetic leg compared to my intact leg.
You might think losing a limb is purely negative, but it’s given me some profound positives, including a sense of being able to contribute to others through participation in research. It also brought me an awareness of my own mortality, gave me insight into getting older, and changed some of my relationships. Most importantly, though, being involved in research and education helps me understand this new part of my life and contributes to a greater understanding in the scientific world.
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