A preliminary examination of the relationship between employment, pain and disability in an amputee population

Abstract

The study demonstrates the need for further research to determine whether the results obtained regarding occupational changes following amputation result pain, disability, amputees' attitudes towards themselves in relation to work, or to employers' attitudes and beliefs about their capabilities. Further research is also required to determine why so few amputees make use of available services and why, even when they are used, such services are not perceived as being helpful. Finally, there is a need to clarify the relationship between the extent of daily prostheses use, the experience of phantom limb pain and employment status.