Phantom Limb Pain: A Frequent Complication in the Amputee Patient

Abstract

Introduction: Limb amputation often results in sensory disturbances, painful or not, such as phantom limb syndrome, which obstructs the rehabilitation process and affects the patient's psychological state. Phantom limb pain has been described as a condition in which patients experience a painful sensation in the missing limb.

Objective: To describe essential aspects of phantom pain as a complication in amputee patients.

Methods: A search was performed of the literature published during the period from January 2015 to December 2021 and referring to phantom limb pain in amputee patients.

Results: Among the causes that lead to limb amputation are vascular problems, trauma, cancer and congenital alterations; it is important to take them into consideration due to the psychological and socioeconomic effects on the patient. Phantom limb syndrome is divided into phantom limb or phantom sensation, phantom limb pain, and painful stump. It is important to make distinctions among them, which helps to assess the magnitude of the problem and the management, different in each case. Conventional treatment has not been very effective.

Conclusions: The essential aspects of phantom pain as a complication in amputee patients were described. Management and treatment of phantom limb pain in amputated limbs is a priority to overcome within the guidelines of modern medicine.

 amputation; phantom pain; complication.