The Fabulous 5
Contributing Members: Jose Herrera, Kaci Stilson, Kristen Kuhr, Joanna Ramos, Zachary Buck
1) Etiology/Pathogenesis of Phantom Limb Syndrome
In order to understand a little about Phantom limb syndrome, we must first understand normal function of a body intact and its sensory and motor pathway. The body uses electrical impulses in the form of chemical exchanges in the neurons, or nerve cells, to pass along information. Normal body function indicates that as the extremity (upper or lower extremity) receives a stimulus, an electrical impulse is sent through the appropriate nerves within the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system via the spinal cord, and up to the brain to be processed. Depending on pain or other …show more content…
“Phantom limb syndrome is relatively common in amputees, especially in the early months and years after limb loss” (Phantom). When there is an amputation, we must remember that there is major trauma taking place to the extremity. It is important to remember that muscles, bones, other soft tissues, and most importantly, nerves are damaged whenever a limb is removed from the body. The nerve endings remaining can possibly send signals to the brain about the damage taken place that the brain interprets as if there is still an intact limb. Another possible cause of this phantom pain is that the brain can simply be recalling through brain memory or innate programming and it indicates that there is pain coming from the limb. It can almost be said that because there is no signal sent whatsoever from the limb, the brain is “making it up.” Phantom limb syndrome is characterized by both painful and nonpainful sensations. Nonpainful sensations include the perception of limb movement as well as external sensations like touch, temperature, vibration, and itch. Painful sensations can include burning, shooting pains, and tingling (Rugnetta, …show more content…
Some treatments that have been used to reduce this pain that are used by physical therapists include rubbing multiple types of surfaces at the site of the residual limb to desensitize this area. There have also been different types of neurochemical medications prescribed such as antidepressants, sodium channel blockers, pain-relievers, neuroleptics, and beta-blockers. These medications are used to block or lessen the painful signals being sent in the nervous system. Techniques that are nonsurgical that have shown to reduce pain include TENS, which is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, shock therapy, and acupuncture. One approach that has gained a great deal of public attention, though only used on a small number of patients, is the mirror box developed by Ramachandran and colleagues. “Through the use of artificial visual feedback it becomes possible for the patient to "move" the phantom limb from potentially painful positions” (Ramachandran, 1996). This technique uses a box without a top, with a mirror placed in the center, with two holes in the side which the patient can “insert” the phantom limb as well as the remaining limb. This technique is designed to “train” the brain to move the phantom limb through watching the reflection of the remaining limb in the mirror
Contributing Members: Jose Herrera, Kaci Stilson, Kristen Kuhr, Joanna Ramos, Zachary Buck
1) Etiology/Pathogenesis of Phantom Limb Syndrome
In order to understand a little about Phantom limb syndrome, we must first understand normal function of a body intact and its sensory and motor pathway. The body uses electrical impulses in the form of chemical exchanges in the neurons, or nerve cells, to pass along information. Normal body function indicates that as the extremity (upper or lower extremity) receives a stimulus, an electrical impulse is sent through the appropriate nerves within the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system via the spinal cord, and up to the brain to be processed. Depending on pain or other …show more content…
“Phantom limb syndrome is relatively common in amputees, especially in the early months and years after limb loss” (Phantom). When there is an amputation, we must remember that there is major trauma taking place to the extremity. It is important to remember that muscles, bones, other soft tissues, and most importantly, nerves are damaged whenever a limb is removed from the body. The nerve endings remaining can possibly send signals to the brain about the damage taken place that the brain interprets as if there is still an intact limb. Another possible cause of this phantom pain is that the brain can simply be recalling through brain memory or innate programming and it indicates that there is pain coming from the limb. It can almost be said that because there is no signal sent whatsoever from the limb, the brain is “making it up.” Phantom limb syndrome is characterized by both painful and nonpainful sensations. Nonpainful sensations include the perception of limb movement as well as external sensations like touch, temperature, vibration, and itch. Painful sensations can include burning, shooting pains, and tingling (Rugnetta, …show more content…
Some treatments that have been used to reduce this pain that are used by physical therapists include rubbing multiple types of surfaces at the site of the residual limb to desensitize this area. There have also been different types of neurochemical medications prescribed such as antidepressants, sodium channel blockers, pain-relievers, neuroleptics, and beta-blockers. These medications are used to block or lessen the painful signals being sent in the nervous system. Techniques that are nonsurgical that have shown to reduce pain include TENS, which is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, shock therapy, and acupuncture. One approach that has gained a great deal of public attention, though only used on a small number of patients, is the mirror box developed by Ramachandran and colleagues. “Through the use of artificial visual feedback it becomes possible for the patient to "move" the phantom limb from potentially painful positions” (Ramachandran, 1996). This technique uses a box without a top, with a mirror placed in the center, with two holes in the side which the patient can “insert” the phantom limb as well as the remaining limb. This technique is designed to “train” the brain to move the phantom limb through watching the reflection of the remaining limb in the mirror