Social Stigma & Perceptions Around Prosthetic Use in High Income Countries: A Semi-Structured Literature Review

This poster presents a semi-structured literature review exploring how social stigma affects prosthesis users in high-income countries. Fourteen studies were analyzed, revealing three consistent themes: the impact of prosthesis visibility vs invisibility within the social gaze, the role of personalization in self-expression, and navigating stereotypes and social perceptions. Findings highlight that stigma remains a significant barrier to confidence, adjustment, and social participation, emphasizing the need for patient-centered, supportive prosthetic care.