Question

an amputation removes a specific body part. however, after an amputation, the rest of a persons body can also be affected. some scientists study these effects on the body.

before walter reed army medical center closed in 2011, some scientists there studied members of the u.s. armed forces who had limbs amputated. the following passage describes the experiences of patients after their amputations, including one service member who had both legs amputated.

as part of routine treatment efforts (after their amputations), the patients are asked to describe their experience with phantom sensation and phantom pain...
one service member...described the feeling of heavy legs, asserting that the feeling was similar to weights attached to his calf muscles. he also described that it felt as though his combat boots were on too tightly.

source: weeks, s. r., anderson-barnes, v. c., & tsao, j. w. phantom limb pain: theories and therapies. in the neurologist. copyright 2010 by lippincott williams & wilkins, inc.

which statement best summarizes the service members experience?
he felt heaviness and tightness in his legs and feet after he had both legs amputated.
his legs were hard to lift and his boots did not fit well after he was injured in the war.
he wore combat boots that were too tight, which injured his legs.

Explanation:

The service member (who had both legs amputated) reported phantom sensations: a feeling of heavy legs like weights on his calves, and tightness like combat boots being on too tightly. The first option directly matches these phantom symptoms after amputation, while the other options misinterpret the cause (the boots weren't actually ill-fitting, nor did they cause injury, and the issue is phantom sensation, not physical difficulty lifting real legs).

Answer:

He felt heaviness and tightness in his legs and feet after he had both legs amputated.