The challenge and management of phantom limb pain after amputation

British Journal of Nursing : BJN
Lynn Siddle

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is thought to occur in most amputees. This common clinical phenomenon often provides a challenge to those involved in the treatment and management of pain, since the causes of PLP are often misunderstood. This article will look at some of the theories of PLP which will highlight why normal analgesic drugs are often not effective. The article will then consider pain management strategies used in PLP in the ward setting. These pain management strategies include the use of drugs not traditionally known as analgesics, but which are usually used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression.

References

Mar 1, 1990·Trends in Neurosciences·R Melzack
Dec 11, 1981·Neuroscience Letters·B Nyström, K E Hagbarth
Aug 1, 1996·Pain·A HillC Knussen
Apr 16, 2002·Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·Timothy E MoreyF Kayser Enneking

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