Persistent Phantom Limb Pain

1981 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Dawson ◽  
Paul Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Personal Problems ◽  
Phantom Limbs

The role of psychological factors in 10 patients with painful phantom limbs was investigated by means of a questionnaire and interviews. The hypotheses were that the severity of pain would be positively correlated with their present personal problems and attitudes and with experience of pain in the limb before amputation. The first hypothesis was confirmed but the second was not.

scholarly journals Psychological Factors Associated with Phantom Limb Pain: A Review of Recent Findings

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xaver Fuchs ◽  
Herta Flor ◽  
Robin Bekrater-Bodmann
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Emotional Factors ◽  
Pain Symptoms

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common phenomenon occurring after the amputation of a limb and can be accompanied by serious suffering. Psychological factors have been shown to play an important role in other types of chronic pain, where they are pivotal in the acquisition and maintenance of pain symptoms. For PLP, however, the interaction between pain and psychological variables is less well documented. In this review, we summarize research on the role of emotional, motivational, cognitive, and perceptual factors in PLP. The reported findings indicate that emotional factors modulate PLP but might be less important compared to other types of chronic pain. Additional factors such as the amount of disability and adjustment to the amputation appear to also play a role. Bidirectional relationships between stress and PLP have been shown quite consistently, and the potential of stress and tension reduction in PLP treatment could be further exploited. Little is known about the role of cognitive variables such as attention or expectation. Catastrophizing seems to aggravate PLP and could be targeted in treatment. Body perception is altered in PLP and poses a potential target for novel mechanistic treatments. More research on psychological factors and their interactions in PLP is needed.

Psychological factors influencing chronic phantom limb pain: An analysis of the literature

Pain ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Sherman ◽  
Crystal J. Sherman ◽  
Glenda M. Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Factors Influencing

scholarly journals Mirror therapy for phantom limb pain: Brain changes and the role of body representation

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Foell ◽  
R. Bekrater-Bodmann ◽  
M. Diers ◽  
H. Flor
Keyword(s):  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Body Representation ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Brain Changes

The role of coping in adjustment to phantom limb pain

Pain ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hill ◽  
C. A. Niven ◽  
C. Knussen
Keyword(s):  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain

Doubtful Arms and Phantom Limbs: Literary Portrayals of Embodied Grief

PMLA ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Krasner
Keyword(s):  
Virginia Woolf ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Mark Doty ◽  
Neurological Response ◽  
Phantom Limbs ◽  
Mourning And Melancholia

Theories of grief based on Freud's “Mourning and Melancholia” typically portray mourning as a disembodied process. This essay investigates the literary portrayal of grief in the context of phantom limb pain, a literally embodied, neurological response to loss. By comparing Derrida's image-based discussion of mourning with theories of embodied habit by Merleau-Ponty and of disability by Lennard Davis, this essay investigates the physical apprehension of loss caused by our habitual engagements with the bodies of our loved ones. Virginia Woolf, Mark Doty, Alfred Tennyson, and Donald Hall portray the physical confusions and discomforts of grief that occur when the griever takes up a habitual position in relation to a lost body. Embodied grief emerges in tangible illusions that, like the phantom limb, memorialize the lost beloved through misperceptions of material presence.

scholarly journals 488 An Evaluation of Pain Related Outcomes Following Nerve Sheath Catheter Insertion after Major Lower Limb Amputations

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Vincenti ◽  
V Bhattacharya ◽  
N Kansal
Keyword(s):  
Pain Control ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Pain Scale ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Stump Pain ◽  
Small Patient ◽  
Spurious Results

Abstract Aim Limb amputations have many post-op complications, including pain. The evidence supporting the use of nerve sheath catheters (NSC) to manage post-op pain is mixed. Current literature suggests NSC reduces post-op opioid requirements but does not reduce pain score, phantom limb pain or chronic stump pain. This study compared post-op pain in those with and without NSC after above knee amputations (AKA) and below knee amputations (BKA). Method Retrospective data from April 2014 – March 2017 was reviewed. Information regarding indication, anaesthetic, morphine requirement at 72 hours, phantom limb, chronic limb pain and a pain scale (1-10) at 24, 48 and 72 hours were collected. Results 32 patients were involved in the study. 11 had NSC for pain control. Of those patients without NSC, 43% experienced no pain. In comparison, 33% of those with NSC experienced no post-op pain. Phantom limb pain was experienced in a higher proportion of patients with NSC (18%) and in those with AKA (11%). 18% of patients with NSC experienced chronic limb pain, compared to 33% without NSC. 62% of patients with NSC required morphine at 72 hours and at higher dosages compared to those without. However, two patients used large amounts of morphine potentially giving spurious results. Conclusions Though limited by small patient group, patients with NSC were more likely to require morphine at 72 hours and at higher dosages but were less likely to experience chronic limb pain thus proving the role of NSC in post-op pain control.

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