What is it about?
All the evidence for a mechanism for phantom limb pain has come from upper limb amputees. Lower limb amputation occurs more often and this paper looks to see if there is evidence that the proposed mechanism, as identified in upper limb amputees, is the same for lower limb amputees. Changes in the brain are thought to be involved but the results from this study cast some doubt on this theory. The changes in the brain may be partially responsible for the development of phantom limb pain but are unlikely to be the only cause.
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Why is it important?
It is rare to look for the mechanism of phantom limb pain in lower limb amputees as brain imaging techniques are not so easily used for lower limbs. Using amputee experiences this study returns to the techniques originally used prior to brain imaging techniques were available. Further work is needed.
Perspectives
It has taken a while to imagine and carry out this study and although we know there are weaknesses in the method we have attempted to engineer the strongest and most robust study so far in this area. We hope it starts a debate which will facilitate new studies which will eventually enable us to fully understand the mechanism for phantom limb pain.
Dr Cliff Richardson
University of Manchester
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring the Role of Cortical Reorganization in Postamputation Phantom Phenomena, Including Phantom Limb Pain in Lower Limb Amputees: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Patterns of Referral of Sensations into the Phantom, Pain Management Nursing, June 2018, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2018.04.004.
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