Self-reported treatments used for lower-limb phantom pain: descriptive findings

Abstract

Objective: To examine the types and relative frequency of treatments used for lower-limb phantom limb pain (PLP), including both pharmacologic and rehabilitative interventions.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Community-based survey from clinical databases.

Participants: Community-based sample (N=255) of persons with lower-limb amputations.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Intensity of PLP and type and helpfulness of treatments (both past and present) used for PLP.

Results: Although 72% of the sample (n=183) reported current PLP, 53% of the respondents with PLP (and 38% of those with severe PLP) had never used treatment for PLP. Those who had used treatment reported greater pain severity and interference. The most commonly used treatment modality was analgesic medication, including acetaminophen, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Of the treatments surveyed, only opioids and chiropractic care were rated as moderately to extremely helpful by the majority of those who had tried them, and many pain interventions had been discontinued.

Conclusions: As hypothesized, a significant proportion of persons with PLP have not used treatment for this pain, and, among those who have used pain treatments, few treatments are perceived as substantially helpful. More research is needed to identify effective management strategies for PLP and to examine further patient perceptions of pain treatment.