{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T09:00:46Z","timestamp":1785402046557,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"AOSIS","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,15]],"date-time":"2025-10-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1760486400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background:\u00a0Lower limb amputation is the surgical removal of a limb, typically because of trauma or chronic illness. A prosthesis can aid recovery, but in South Africa\u2019s Eastern Cape, access to prosthetic rehabilitation services remains limited.\nObjectives:\u00a0The aim of this study was to describe and explore experiences of lower limb prosthetic users in coping and adjusting to prosthesis use in the OR Tambo District.\nMethod:\u00a0Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this qualitative study purposefully sampled five lower limb prosthesis users. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted in participants\u2019 homes. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, allowing for an in-depth exploration of themes related to adaptation and coping.\nResults:\u00a0Three themes emerged: (1) facing psychological and identity adjustments, participants reported a range of emotions from shock to happiness, (2) navigating daily societal realities and perceptions, emphasising the influence of stigma and support on prosthesis user experience, and (3) learning to cope and receive support, focusing on adaptive coping strategies and support systems, including family and the community.\nConclusion:\u00a0The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and accessible rehabilitation services that address physical, emotional and social challenges. Tailored prosthesis designs for rural environments and community education programmes to reduce stigma are essential for improving user outcomes.\nContribution:\u00a0This study advocates for holistic prosthetic care, emphasising ongoing support and proactive engagement with users\u2019 experiences to improve quality of life and promote independence.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/ajod.v14i0.1706","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T09:41:08Z","timestamp":1760089268000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Experiences of coping and adjusting to lower limb prosthesis use in the Eastern Cape province"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5950-759X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Noluvuyo","family":"Seti","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05bk57929","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Stellenbosch University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9844-7828","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lieketseng Y.","family":"Ned","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05bk57929","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Stellenbosch University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alase, A., 2017, \u2018The interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): A guide to a good qualitative research approach\u2019, International Journal 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