The challenge and management of phantom limb pain after amputation.
Phantom limb pain (PLP) is thought to occur in most amputees. This common clinical phenomenon often provides a challenge to those involved in the treatment and management of pain, since the causes of PLP are often misunderstood. This article will look at some of the theories of PLP which will highlight why normal analgesic drugs are often not effective. The article will then consider pain management strategies used in PLP in the ward setting. These pain management strategies include the use of drugs not traditionally known as analgesics, but which are usually used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression.
Siddle
Lynn
L
Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK.
D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents