Recovery without a prosthesis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What is the lived experience of people recovering from lower limb amputation without the use of a prosthesis: A protocol for an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
IRAS ID
358443
Contact name
Carrie Fewins-Scales
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Every year, thousands of people in the UK lose a leg through illness, injury, or surgery. Most rehabilitation services are designed around helping people to use an artificial limb (prosthesis). However, national data shows that less than half of people who have a major lower-limb amputation are actually fitted with a prosthesis. For those who do not use a prosthesis, there is very little research about their recovery, everyday challenges, or what types of support would make the most difference.
This study aims to explore the experiences of adults in the UK who have had a lower-limb amputation but are not currently using a prosthesis. We want to understand what recovery looks like without a prosthetic limb, what helps or hinders people’s progress, and what outcomes are most important to them.
We will invite 5-8 adults who have had an amputation to take part in a one-to-one interview, either online or in person. Each interview will last about an hour. Participants will be asked about their day-to-day life, their physical and emotional recovery, and their views on the support they have received.
The information will be analysed using a well-established qualitative research approach (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis), which looks closely at people’s individual stories before drawing out common themes across participants.
Findings will be shared with health professionals, rehabilitation services, and patient groups to highlight how recovery without a prosthesis is experienced and where improvements in support are most needed. This will help ensure that the voices of people who do not use prostheses are included in future NHS rehabilitation planning and research.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1629
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion