Post-Amputation Pain
After limb amputation, chronic pain can be a major issue. Pain at the stump site can be a nagging problem due to recurrent infection, skin breakdown, pressure ulcers from prosthetic devices, etc. Neuromas (abnormal overgrowth of nerve fibers) can also form at the site of amputation and can cause severe neuropathic pain.
After amputation, patients often have phantom limb sensation. They sense the feeling of the body part that is no longer there. Normal sensation is generally not a problem, but occasionally these can be painful (Phantom Limb Pain). Patients experience severe shooting and burning pain in the limb that was already amputated.
Treatment initially involves medication management centered on neuropathic pain medications. Psychological / cognitive behavioral therapy is also very important. Spinal Cord Stimulation has been shown to be a very effective long-term therapy.
Tags: neuropathic pain medication, phantom limb pain, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Uncategorized