Majority of UK amputees feel unprepared and unheard in their first prosthetic limb decisions, new research finds

The survey of 572 lower-limb amputees across the UK and US¹ is believed to be the first large-scale global survey into how amputees experience choosing their first prosthesis. Among the 259 UK respondents, the findings revealed several key problems:

• 62% said they went into their first prosthetic appointment unsure what to expect, and over a quarter (28%) felt unprepared
• 76% said being encouraged to think about what mattered most before their first appointment could have helped them choose the right prosthesis
• 55% said they didn’t experience any of the shared decision-making steps patients should expect in such a life-changing appointment, such as being asked how involved they want to be or discussing what mattered most to them
• 72% felt they had little or no input into choosing their prosthesis and 84% would have liked more involvement

These challenges had numerous consequences:

• 87% experienced challenges after taking their first prosthesis home. Among those, 65% said it was painful to wear and 44% said it limited mobility
• 74% said the challenges left them frustrated, 50% felt low or depressed, and 21% said they were less motivated in their rehabilitation
• 30% said, looking back, their prosthesis had been a poor choice for them

With approximately 7,500 lower-limb amputations taking place per year in the UK², and diabetes and other conditions associated with amputation projected to rise^3,4 , the findings suggest many patients are still navigating one of the most important decisions of their rehabilitation journey without enough support, information or meaningful say in the outcome.

The findings build on existing research, including NHS England survey findings which identified perceived gaps around patient involvement, holistic care and personalisation⁵, and a 2022 University of Colorado qualitative study which found many patients didn’t feel adequately involved in prosthetic device decisions, often leading to unmet expectations and dissatisfaction^⁶.

Speaking about his own experience, lower-limb amputee Sam Gostelow, 40, said: “When I attended my first appointment, I was so focused on getting back to my active life, but entering a room with at least seven people asking questions was incredibly intense.

“Even though I'd researched my prosthetic foot, I quickly realised how much I didn't understand about the realities of living with a prosthesis, from how it would actually fit and feel day-to-day, to how my needs would change over time.

“In those early stages of rehabilitation, it’s so difficult to take all the information in, and it's hard to even know what is normal or what you should be asking. The more information you have before that first appointment, the better chance you have of asking the right questions and understanding what’s right for you.”

To help address the issue, a new free support hub, My Prosthetic Priorities (myprostheticpriorities.com), has now launched.

Conceived by global prosthetics manufacturer Blatchford and developed with amputee organisations, clinicians and expert partners - including Blesma, Steel Bones and LimbPower - the hub aims to help people approach their first prosthetic appointment feeling informed, confident and better prepared.

The online hub features the first Decision-Making Aid for Lower Limb Amputees: a practical tool designed to help patients get the most out of their first appointment by identifying their priorities and lifestyle goals, understanding likely choices, and thinking about how they want to communicate with their prosthetist.

The hub also brings together additional trusted resources from amputee partner organisations, from advice on post-amputation care and the different types of prostheses available through to information on what other assistive aids are available. The site will continue to evolve as new insights, resources and perspectives are added.

Steve Seccombe, Chief Clinical Officer at Blatchford, said: "The survey findings show that we have not yet fully addressed pre-engagement or supported individuals in understanding the full journey from amputee to confident limb-wearer.

“Clinicians value active engagement from their patients, and these findings suggest that while many individuals want to take a more active role, they do not always feel equipped with the right information or confidence at the right time.

“My Prosthetic Priorities has been developed to better educate new users and support more effective conversations between patients, prosthetists, and the wider rehabilitation teams. This will improve understanding of the pathway to a stable clinical presentation, enabling more individuals to participate in decision-making and ultimately become independent, confident, and functional limb wearers."

A spokesperson for Blesma, Steel Bones and LimbPower said: “We know from our communities that the first prosthetic appointment can feel overwhelming. People are often dealing with huge physical and emotional change, while also trying to understand unfamiliar terminology, choices and decisions that may affect everyday life for years to come.

“That is why clear, trusted information before the appointment matters so much. My Prosthetic Priorities gives people a practical way to prepare, think about what matters to them and feel more confident asking questions when they meet their prosthetist and wider care team.”

 

References

1. My Prosthetic Priorities: survey of 572 lower limb amputees, conducted in the UK and USA between March and June 2026
2. Specialist Physiotherapists Publish Updated Clinical Guidelines for Pre & Post Op Amputee Rehabilitation Including Patient Information Guide. Chartered Society of Physiotherapists. 2017
3. 1-in-10 adults living with diabetes by 2030. Diabetes UK. 2021
4. UK Cardiovascular Disease Factsheet. British Heart Foundation. 2026
5. Specialised Commissioning Prosthetics Patient Survey Report, NHS England. 2019
6. Improving shared decision-making for prosthetic care: a qualitative needs assessment of prosthetists and new lower-limb prosthesis users, National Library of Medicine, 2022