4.4 Review

Evolving techniques for reducing phantom limb pain

Journal

EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Volume 248, Issue 7, Pages 561-572

Publisher

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/15353702231168150

Keywords

Amputation-induced pain; amputations; chronic pain; pain elimination; platelet-rich plasma; PRP; PLP

Ask authors/readers for more resources

At least two million people in the United States of America live with lost limbs, and the number is expected to double by 2050. Within days to weeks of the amputation, up to 90% of these individuals develop neuropathic pain, presenting as phantom limb pain (PLP). The primary treatment for PLP is the administration of pharmacological agents, although alternative techniques are also discussed.
At least two million people in the United States of America live with lost limbs, and the number is expected to double by 2050, although the incidence of amputations is significantly greater in other parts of the world. Within days to weeks of the amputation, up to 90% of these individuals develop neuropathic pain, presenting as phantom limb pain (PLP). The pain level increases significantly within one year and remains chronic and severe for about 10%. Amputation-induced changes are considered to underlie the causation of PLP. Techniques applied to the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) are designed to reverse amputation-induced changes, thereby reducing/eliminating PLP. The primary treatment for PLP is the administration of pharmacological agents, some of which are considered but provide no more than short-term pain relief. Alternative techniques are also discussed, which provide only short-term pain relief. Changes induced by various cells and the factors they release are required to change neurons and their environment to reduce/eliminate PLP. It is concluded that novel techniques that utilize autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may provide long-term PLP reduction/elimination.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.4
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available