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Then, a century-old mystery: why do many amputees still feel their missing limbs? We speak with a neuroscientist who solved the problem with an optical illusion. This section also contains the intro, so it takes a some time to get to the phantom limb story, start playing the recording at approximately 14:40.

Limb loss is always devastating, both physically and emotionally. I've frequently told patients who have lost a limb or are facing the prospect of losing one, "You are going through something that no one should ever have to go through." Limb loss is, however, especially devastating whenever it happens to a child.

This chapter is concerned with the unique problems presented by the bilateral upper-limb amputee. Although it is generally recognized that the unilateral upper-limb amputee uses a prosthesis as an assist and the sound limb for sensory feedback and fine manipulatory activities, the bilateral amputee does not have such a choice.

Amputee Coalition is a national non-profit organization providing extensive resources, peer support, outreach and education to individual amputees, amputee caregivers, limb loss professionals and those dealing with the effects of limb loss.

This may be old news from almost a year ago, but i found this on the Vanderbilt website about how Dr. Michael Goldfarb has been working on robotic legs that emulates healthy limbs. It explains his research and his building of these legs. I found in the article that Dr. Goldfarb was also named one of the top 10 innovators who changed the world in 2013 for developing an exoskeleton that allows paraplegics to stand up and walk.

I-limb digits is the fully customized electronic prosthesis for people with missing fingers or partial hands.

Brief article on limb amputation, how it done, wound care and post op rehabilitation. Its very brief and general but informative all the same.

To see if you are eligible, see FAQ's below. Before applying to Limbs for Life, please check these alternate sources for funding first: Your state Vocational Rehabilitation Services, view here Local, state and regional service providers and foundations Find helpful resources at Cure Our Children Limbs for Life has a waiting list of clients who have been approved for funding.

The mission of the VA Center of Excellence for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering is to provide broad based investigators the opportunity to conduct basic and clinical research and effectively disseminate their findings in an effort to impact the quality of life and functional status of veteran amputees and veterans who are at risk for amputation.

Amputee Coalition is a national non-profit organization providing extensive resources, peer support, outreach and education to individual amputees, amputee caregivers, limb loss professionals and those dealing with the effects of limb loss.

This is an easy-to-understand webpage that describes the parts of a LE prosthesis. The material is more descriptive and more current, in my opinion, than what appears in our textbook. It also includes sections on prosthesis fitting and care of the residual limb. This resource would be good to recommend to a patient prior to or shortly after amputation. It also has professional version of the same material.

A handout from AOTA talking about the role OT plays in UE amputations.

After reading about desensitization I was interested in learning more and, lo and behold, our favorite Amputee OT had a great video on the topic! She talks about the importance of massage, tapping, and using different types of fabric to help with hypersensitivity (desensitization) of the residual limb. She also touches on some exercises that are used to help prepare a residual limb for weight-bearing during use of prosthesis.

This is a very interesting and informative article on the pre-prosthetic treatment OT gives a client. The client will be assessed by OT for things like ROM, scar management, pain, phantom pain and sensation, and desensitization. Client interview helps the practitioner choose a correct prosthetic. Always consider the psychosocial aspect. There are different things to consider if the amputation is unilateral or bilateral. The OT will help prepare the limb to wear the prosthetic. Mirror therapy can be used as a treatment option for phantom pain. The OT will help in ADL training, stump care, prosthetic care, and psychosocial care.

This is an article about i-limbs which is a type of prosthestic design. It shows the different types of amputees, how they put the device together and how OT is involved. It even tells some patients goals and how the OT helps them reach their goals.

This is an interesting article that discusses phantom limb pain and a the benefits of mirror therapy for pain management.

This is an old, short 1916 film with no sound showing soldiers, who are amputees, wheelchair racing, playing tug-of-war, marching, and dancing. This is conjecture -- but maybe there are reconstruction aides helping them out -- the people who helped in the development of occupational therapy. Also, this film shows the amputees as NOT helpless, having fun and very much functional.

This is an interesting read about six Army ladies. Notice the box where they identify their worries about their amputations. It definitely helps to give us some perespective.

CBS Evening News video of prosthetic device

Each amputee goes through their own personal struggle. Whether the amputation is a result of trauma or illness, the feelings are the same!

I found this website is very powerful and educational. And as a future OT practitioners we can recommend it for our clients. It is about amputation foundation that originally was created for veterans, but would give a hand to any amputee civilian. There are a lot of helpful information about how to take care of amputated limb, how to get social security disability, etc. Also this foundation offers support, financial aid, information on recreational activities, medical equipment, and counseling.