Engel: “my residual limb comes with its challenges”

Engel (68) shares his first weeks at Heliomare rehabilitation centre. After his amputation on 28 January, he began his rehab journey at Heliomare. From those overwhelming first impressions to the emotional moment of taking his first steps, Engel opens up about the unexpected challenges of adapting to life with a slender residual limb.

Arrival in paradise

The move to Heliomare rehabilitation centre went really smoothly. “The wheelchair taxi arrived on time, and the journey was traffic-free — exactly how you’d hope.”

His first impressions were overwhelming. “There’s so much information, and you forget half of it straight away.” But when it comes to Heliomare, Engel is clear: “It really is the paradise of healthcare in the Netherlands.”

One moment in particular stayed with him. “My roommate said to a nurse, ‘I’m going to ask for your salary to be doubled.’ And she replied, ‘That’s not necessary — I don’t do this for the money.’ That really touched me.”

Therapies and progress

“You have a mix of therapies here — physio, occupational therapy, wheelchair skills, and learning to walk again. There’s also swimming, which helps you get your balance back.”

Engel finds the strength training the toughest, but also the most enjoyable. “Because I can really feel myself improving, especially balancing on my left leg.”

His recovery is going well. “I hardly have any phantom pain anymore. And for over a month now, I’ve had no pain at all — the pain that led me to choose this path in the first place.”

One moment stands out for him: “I can almost stand on one leg without holding on. But if you fall without a prosthesis, your instinct is to use the leg that’s no longer there — that’s exactly what you learn not to do here.”

ChallengeS of a slender residual limb

On 25 February, Engel was fitted for his prosthesis. “I have very little cushioning between the end of my shinbone and the skin. Normally this is supported by muscle, but I don’t have much there.”

His prosthetist, Cor van Velzen, chose a vacuum prosthesis with a specialised liner.

Painful first steps

It was clear his residual limb would be a challenge, but no one quite realised how much. His first steps were “emotional and painful.”

At first, he felt pain on the inside of his knee. Adjustments were made, but that caused his limb to sink further into the socket. “Which meant the bottom of my shin and calf bone were almost directly resting on the prosthesis.”

Cor adjusted things again, but his limb sank even further. “Honestly, I’m not someone who complains easily, but the pain brought tears to my eyes. I’ll never forget it.”

The prosthesis is now being revised. “If this doesn’t work, a completely new socket will need to be made, which means I’ll fall behind.”

Engel is quick to add: “Cor is doing everything he can to make this process as comfortable as possible. It’s not for lack of effort — if only the whole world were like him…”

Support and advice

Engel misses his wife Irina, his aquarium, and his dog Bob, but he’s now able to go home at weekends. “And that is really, really nice.”

“The support from my family makes all the difference. Without them, this would be much harder. They’re behind me 100%.”

His advice for others: “Listen carefully to the people guiding you. Don’t try to do too much. The therapists know what’s right for you — and what can happen if you push too far or too fast.”

In his next blog, Engel hopes to share more about taking his first real steps with a well-fitting prosthesis.

If you’d like to connect with Movao member Engel — do feel free to reach out and say hello.