Best treatment for the loss of a limb

by Jason Chidwick

Amputee Clinical Lead at rehabilitation service HCML

LOSING a limb and adapting to new ways of doing things can be physically and mentally challenging

That’s not to mention the rehabilitation and recovery needed But adapting to life with an amputation doesn’t stop there Many amputees go on to suffer phantom limb pains

Phantom limb pains are ongoing pains that amputees feel in the amputated extremity, regardless of the amputation level

The pains are caused by the motor signals which continue to transmit messages to the motor cortex in the brain from the amputated limb

More than 80% of amputees experience it The pains can feel like a burning, crushing, tingling, stabbing or pins and needles sensation and can be present for anything from bursts of a few seconds to a few hours.

There is also no way of telling how often the pain will occur and this can vary day-to-day depending on the individual

Although there are treatments to help alleviate the pain, it is very much trial and error and there is no quick fix Mirror therapy and Neuromotus focus on tricking the brain and are theoretically more likely to have more positive outcomes in the longer term.

Options such as medication and transcutaneous electrical nerve simulation tend just to mask the pain as a shorter-term solution, so it’s likely to return

These treatments have not demonstrated particularly good results and are therefore not a reliable source of relief.

However, owing to their ease of use and relative low costs, they are usually tried as a first resort

Owing to its very positive early findings, Neuromotus should be explored as soon as possible if this is available to the individual But currently it is only available privately and therefore the cost implications need to be considered

For patients suffering from phantom limb pain, the first step is to seek assistance from a specialised pain management consultant or GP

With a variety of treatment options available, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin But these specialists will be able to provide guidance and advice on a case-by-case basis to get people the help they need.