The Phantom Limb Phenomenon
The phantom limb phenomenon is a known response that occurs following surgery in amputee patients. This response provides a vivid sensation that the amputated limb is still present and phantom limb pain is most commonly seen following the amputation of the arm or leg. The pain felt, may be related to physical or psychological factors, including the weather, or emotional stress, (Flor, 2002). Phantom limb is frequently apparent with physical pain, and this occurs in 50% – 80% of amputees, (Flor, 2002). The pain felt by these amputees can be described as stabbing, burning, tingling, or throbbing. Research has been conducted into understanding the causes and effects of phantom limb and ways it can be treated or prevented …show more content…
1999). In a study conducted in 1999 By Weiss, et al, Subjects who had a hand or arm amputation were included and were either fitted with a mechanical or cosmetic prosthetic. A decrease in phantom limb pain was only seen in subjects using the mechanical prosthetic, and those using the cosmetic prosthetic had an increase in pain, whether that be a small amount or a larger amount. The mechanical prosthetic was connected to a muscle in the arm surgically, and the movement produced by it were made by contracting and relaxing the muscle. The cosmetic prosthetic, however, permitted only a small amount of movement. In the mechanic prosthetic, there was direct control, and somatosensory feedback from the muscles in the stump of the amputated arm or hand, (Weiss, T, et al. …show more content…
Most often, phantom limb pain is seen following arm and leg amputations but is not limited to this. The theory behind the condition can be put down to cortical reorganisation of the somasensory cortex . Phantom limb pain can have a huge effect on those who experience it, and many people who experience pain do not admit to it. The concept of “telescoping”, is a less common effect, and people with phantom limb pain will not necessarily experience this. There have been several preventative and treatment methods studied and few have successful results. The use of a lumbar epidural prior to amputation has shown to reduce the chance of feeling pain. One treatment option regards the mirror box illusion, however, this may only be a temporary fix. Other options include pharmacological treatments, body imaging and deep brain stimulation. The most successful treatment option thus far proves to be the use of a mechanical prosthetic as this allows for movement in the muscle. There has been a huge amount of progress made in both understanding
The phantom limb phenomenon is a known response that occurs following surgery in amputee patients. This response provides a vivid sensation that the amputated limb is still present and phantom limb pain is most commonly seen following the amputation of the arm or leg. The pain felt, may be related to physical or psychological factors, including the weather, or emotional stress, (Flor, 2002). Phantom limb is frequently apparent with physical pain, and this occurs in 50% – 80% of amputees, (Flor, 2002). The pain felt by these amputees can be described as stabbing, burning, tingling, or throbbing. Research has been conducted into understanding the causes and effects of phantom limb and ways it can be treated or prevented …show more content…
1999). In a study conducted in 1999 By Weiss, et al, Subjects who had a hand or arm amputation were included and were either fitted with a mechanical or cosmetic prosthetic. A decrease in phantom limb pain was only seen in subjects using the mechanical prosthetic, and those using the cosmetic prosthetic had an increase in pain, whether that be a small amount or a larger amount. The mechanical prosthetic was connected to a muscle in the arm surgically, and the movement produced by it were made by contracting and relaxing the muscle. The cosmetic prosthetic, however, permitted only a small amount of movement. In the mechanic prosthetic, there was direct control, and somatosensory feedback from the muscles in the stump of the amputated arm or hand, (Weiss, T, et al. …show more content…
Most often, phantom limb pain is seen following arm and leg amputations but is not limited to this. The theory behind the condition can be put down to cortical reorganisation of the somasensory cortex . Phantom limb pain can have a huge effect on those who experience it, and many people who experience pain do not admit to it. The concept of “telescoping”, is a less common effect, and people with phantom limb pain will not necessarily experience this. There have been several preventative and treatment methods studied and few have successful results. The use of a lumbar epidural prior to amputation has shown to reduce the chance of feeling pain. One treatment option regards the mirror box illusion, however, this may only be a temporary fix. Other options include pharmacological treatments, body imaging and deep brain stimulation. The most successful treatment option thus far proves to be the use of a mechanical prosthetic as this allows for movement in the muscle. There has been a huge amount of progress made in both understanding