Surgical amputation and psychosocial adaptation with a focus on body image and phantom limb pain

Major earthquakes often result in severe injuries, including limb amputations, with long-lasting physical and psychosocial consequences. The February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye caused a substantial number of amputations. While surgical management and rehabilitation have been documented, limited research has explored the combined impact of phantom pain, body image changes, and psychosocial adaptation from the patient’s perspective. This study explores the lived experiences of amputees after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, focusing on phantom pain, body image changes, and psychosocial adaptation. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Fifteen participants who underwent upper or lower limb amputations due to earthquake-related injuries were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth online interviews conducted between December 2024 and March 2025. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using manual coding in MAXQDA20.4.0 qualitative data analysis software. Trustworthiness was enhanced by member checking and peer debriefing. Five major themes were identified: (1) Communication patterns surrounding the amputation decision; (2) psychosocial reactions to amputation; (3) altered body image and role limitation; (4) phantom limb–related experiences; and (5) prosthesis-related issues. Participants reported limited communication during the amputation decision, intense emotional reactions following limb loss, altered body image and role limitations, persistent phantom limb pain, and challenges in adapting to prosthesis use. Post-disaster amputation is not only a physical loss but also a profound psychosocial experience, where phantom pain and body image changes play a central role in adaptation. Incorporating patient-centred, multidisciplinary, and culturally sensitive approaches into post-disaster healthcare frameworks is essential to support both physical recovery and psychosocial well-being.