Phantom pain

Last updated
Phantom pain
Specialty Neurology

Phantom pain is a painful perception that an individual experiences relating to a limb or an organ that is not physically part of the body, either because it was removed or was never there in the first place. [1]

Contents

Sensations are reported most frequently following the amputation of a limb, but may also occur following the removal of a breast, tongue, or internal organ. [2] Phantom eye syndrome can occur after eye loss. The pain sensation and its duration and frequency varies from individual to individual.

Phantom pain should be distinguished from other conditions that may present similarly, such as phantom limb sensation and residual limb pain. Phantom limb sensation is any sensory phenomenon, except pain, which is felt at an absent limb or a portion of the limb. [3] It is estimated that up to 80% of amputees experience phantom limb sensations at some time of their lives. [4] Some experience some level of this phantom feeling in the missing limb for the rest of their lives. Residual limb pain, also referred to as stump pain, is a painful perception that originates from the residual limb, or stump, itself. [2] It is typically a manifestation of an underlying source, such as surgical trauma, neuroma formation, infection, or an improperly fitted prosthetic device. [5] Although these are different clinical conditions, individuals with phantom pain are more likely to concomitantly experience residual limb pain as well. [6]

The term "phantom limb" was first coined by American neurologist Silas Weir Mitchell in 1871. [7] Mitchell described that "thousands of spirit limbs were haunting as many good soldiers, every now and then tormenting them". [8] However, in 1551, French military surgeon Ambroise Paré recorded the first documentation of phantom limb pain when he reported that "the patients, long after the amputation is made, say that they still feel pain in the amputated part". [8]

Signs and symptoms

The symptomatic course of phantom pain is widely variable, but the onset often presents within the first week after amputation. [2] The reported pain may be intermittent and lasting seconds to minutes, but can be continuous with acute exacerbations. [9] The duration of symptoms varies among individuals, with some reporting decreased pain over time and others reporting a more stable or even increasing trajectory. [10] Sensations may be described as shooting, stabbing, squeezing, throbbing, tingling, or burning, and sometimes feels as if the phantom part is being forced into an uncomfortable position. [11]

Visual representation of body parts within the somatosensory cortex Sensory Homunculus-en.svg
Visual representation of body parts within the somatosensory cortex

While the sensation often affects the part of the limb farthest from the body, such as the fingers or toes, other body parts closer to the brain, such as the arm or leg, can still experience similar sensations. [12] It is thought that phantom pain more commonly involves the part of the limb farthest from the body because of its larger cortical representation within the somatosensory cortex. [13]

Overall, the sensations may be triggered by pressure on the remaining part of the limb, emotional stress, or changes in temperature. [14]

Causes

Individuals may experience phantom pain following surgical or traumatic amputation of a limb, removal of an organ, or in instances of congenital limb deficiency. It is most commonly observed after amputation, although less frequent cases have been reported following the removal of a breast, tongue, or eye. [2] Phantom pain is seen more often in older adults as compared to individuals with congenital limb deficiency or amputation at an early age. [15] It has also been reported that individuals with a prior history of chronic pain, anxiety, or depression are more likely to develop phantom pain than those without these risk factors. [16]

Pathophysiology

The neurological basis and mechanisms for phantom pain are all derived from experimental theories and observations. Little is known about the true mechanisms causing phantom pain, and many theories highly overlap. Historically, phantom pains were thought to originate from neuromas located at the stump tip. [1] Traumatic neuromas, or non-tumor nerve injuries, often arise from surgeries and result from the abnormal growth of injured nerve fibers. [11] Although stump neuromas may contribute to phantom pains, they are not the sole cause. The reason is because patients with congenital limb deficiency can sometimes also experience phantom pains. [15] This finding suggests that there is also a central mechanism responsible for generating painful sensations. [17] Currently, theories are based on altered neurological pathways and maladaptive changes within the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord, and brain.

Peripheral mechanisms

Neuromas formed from injured nerve endings at the stump site show increased sodium channel expression and are able to spontaneously fire abnormal action potentials. [18] This increased activity of Aδ and C fibers, which are involved in pain and temperature sensation, can contribute to phantom pain. However, it has been noted that pain still persists once the neuromas have ceased firing action potentials or when peripheral nerves are treated with conduction blocking agents. [17] The peripheral nervous system is therefore thought to have at most a modulation effect on phantom limb pain. [8]

Spinal mechanisms

Schematic representation of the ascending pain pathways within the spinal cord Sketch colored final.png
Schematic representation of the ascending pain pathways within the spinal cord

In addition to peripheral mechanisms, spinal mechanisms are thought to have an influencing role in the development of phantom pain. Peripheral nerve injury can lead to the degeneration of C fibers in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, and terminating A fibers may subsequently branch into the same lamina. [8] If this occurs, A fiber inputs could be reported as noxious stimuli. Substance P, involved in the transmission of pain signals, is usually expressed by Aδ and C fibers, but following peripheral nerve damage, substance P is expressed by Aβ fibers. [8] This leads to hyperexcitability of the spinal cord, which usually occurs only in the presence of noxious stimuli. These changes to the nerve fiber inputs may also lead to an expansion of the neuronal receptive fields, such that previously non-noxious stimuli are now interpreted as noxious. [11] This process of hyperexcitability and receptive field changes is broadly referred to as central sensitization. [1] It is also known that increased expression of glutamate and NMDA, coupled with decreased inhibition from GABAergic neurons, further contributes to the mechanism of central sensitization. [19] However, because patients with complete spinal cord injury have experienced phantom pain, there must also be an underlying central mechanism within the brain.

Central mechanisms

Under ordinary circumstances, the genetically determined circuitry in the brain remains largely stable throughout life. For much of the twentieth century, it was believed that no new neural circuits could be formed in the adult mammalian brain, but experiments from the 1980s onward cast this into doubt. [17] For instance, functional MRI studies in amputees have shown that almost all patients have experienced cortical remapping. [20] After amputation, cortical remapping is the process by which areas of the somatosensory and primary motor cortices representing the lost limb are invaded by nearby regions. [21] This leads to areas of the brain formerly receiving input from the lost limb now able to be stimulated from the nearby invading cortical regions.

Most of the studies using functional MRI to investigate cortical remapping in humans have been in upper limb amputees. Following the loss of an arm, the majority of motor reorganization occurred as a downward shift of the hand area of the cortex onto the area of face representation, especially the lips. [21] In individuals with phantom limb pain, the reorganization was great enough to cause a change in cortical lip representation into the hand areas only during lip movements. [17] Additionally, as phantom pains in upper extremity amputees increased, there was a higher degree of medial shift of the facial motor representation. [22] It has also been found that there is a high correlation between the severity of phantom limb pain and the extent to which cortical reorganization has occurred. [22]

The neuromatrix

The neuromatrix theory, initially coined by psychologist Ronald Melzack in the 1990s, proposes that there is an extensive network connecting the thalamus and the cortex, and the cortex and the limbic system. [8] It extends beyond body schema theory and proposes that conscious awareness and the perception of self are generated in the brain via patterns of input that can be modified by different perceptual inputs. [23] The network is genetically predetermined, and is modified throughout one's lifetime by various sensory inputs to create a neurosignature. [24] It is the neurosignature of a specific body part that determines how it is consciously perceived. [8] The input systems contributing to the neurosignature are primarily the somatosensory, limbic, and thalamocortical systems. The neuromatrix theory aims to explain how certain activities associated with pain lead to the conscious perception of phantom pain. After limb amputation, changes to the neuromatrix and neurosignature may be the cause of phantom pain localized to the lost limb. [11] Phantom pain may also arise from abnormal reorganization in the neuromatrix to a pre-existing pain state. [25]

Support for the neuromatrix theory is largely from studies where cordotomy, and therefore elimination of pain signals transmitted to the brain, fail to treat phantom pains. [26] Opposition to the theory exists largely because it fails to explain why relief from phantom sensations rarely eliminates phantom pains. It also does not address how sensations can spontaneously end and how some amputees do not experience phantom sensations at all. [8] In addition, a major limitation of the neuromatrix theory is that it is difficult to be tested empirically, especially when testing painless phantom sensations. [23]

Diagnosis

Phantom pain is a clinical diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms an individual describes. [2] There are no specific laboratory studies or imaging findings that support its diagnosis. [1] However, it is important for a doctor to perform a thorough physical examination to assess for other potential causes of pain. Evaluation of the residual limb should be done to inspect for signs of infection, bursa or pressure ulcer formation, or deep tissue injury. [2] If an individual has a prosthesis, evaluation of fit and alignment should also be performed. A thorough neurological and musculoskeletal examination should be conducted, including assessment of strength, range of motion, and reflexes, to rule out any other central or peripheral causes for the pain. [12]

Management

Various methods have been used to treat phantom limb pain. There are currently no specific management guidelines or stepwise approaches to therapy. Instead, treatment involves a multimodal approach with a variety of available interventions. [27] Doctors may prescribe medications, and some antidepressants or antiepileptics have been shown to have a beneficial effect on reducing phantom limb pain. [28] Physical methods such as light massage, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy have been used with variable results. [29] [30]

There are many different treatment options for phantom limb pain that are actively being researched. Most treatments do not take into account the mechanisms underlying phantom pains, and are therefore difficult to investigate. However, there are a few treatment options that have been shown to alleviate pain in some patients, but these treatment options usually have a success rate of less than 30%. [8] It is important to note that this rate of success does not exceed the placebo effect.

Medication

Pharmacological techniques are often initiated alone or in conjunction with other treatment options. Doses of pain medications needed often drop substantially when combined with other techniques, but rarely are discontinued completely. The use of antiepileptics, such as gabapentin, pregabalin, and topiramate, has shown mixed results in clinical studies. [31] [32] [28] However, there are currently no high-quality randomized trials supporting the efficacy of these medications. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are often used to relieve chronic pain, and recently have been used in an attempt to reduce phantom pains. Recent studies using amitriptyline have also failed to provide conclusive, non-conflicting results. [33] [34] N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as ketamine, are thought to work by reversing the process of central sensitization within the spinal cord, which has been proposed as a possible mechanism for the development of phantom pain. [11] The use of ketamine has shown to reduce phantom pain, but memantine, a medication within the same drug class, did not provide any benefit to patients. [35] [36] Pain relief may also be achieved through use of opioids, calcitonin, and lidocaine. [8]

Mirror therapy

Ramachandran (right) with his original mirror box Dr. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and psychology student Matthew Marradi holding the original Mirror Box.jpg
Ramachandran (right) with his original mirror box

Mirror box therapy is a simple and inexpensive therapy for phantom pain that was first invented in the 1990s by neuroscientist Vilayanur S. Ramachandran. Individuals place their intact limb in front of the mirror and voluntarily move the limb, giving them the visual that their absent limb is also moving. It allows for illusions of movement and touch in a phantom limb by inducing somatosensory and motor pathway coupling between the phantom and real limb. [23] Many patients experience pain as a result of a clenched phantom limb, and because phantom limbs are not under voluntary control, unclenching becomes impossible. [37] This theory proposes that the phantom limb feels paralyzed because there is no feedback from the phantom back to the brain to inform it otherwise. Ramachandran believes that if the brain received visual feedback that the phantom limb had moved, then the phantom limb would become unparalyzed. [37]

Lower limb amputee using mirror box therapy to address phantom pain 110613-N-YM336-079 (5880440625).jpg
Lower limb amputee using mirror box therapy to address phantom pain

Although the use of mirror therapy has been shown to be effective in some cases, there is still no widely accepted theory of how it works. According to a 2017 paper that reviewed a wide range of studies using mirror therapy, patients may experience reduced phantom pains after four weeks of treatment. [38] The study goes on to say that while the exact mechanism of mirror therapy isn't completely understood, it is a safe and inexpensive option for patients to consider. [38]

Little research was published on mirror therapy before 2009, and much of the research since then has been of low quality. [39] Out of 115 publications between 2012 and 2017 that investigated the use of mirror therapy for phantom pain, a 2018 review found only 15 studies whose scientific results should be considered. From these 15 studies, the reviewers concluded that mirror therapy is an effective tool to reduce both the duration and intensity of phantom pain. [40]

Current theories on how mirror therapy may reduce phantom pain have largely come from studies investigating changes in the brain using functional MRI. There is evidence to show a reduction and reversal of cortical reorganization within the somatosensory cortex following mirror therapy. [41] Since maladaptive changes within cortical regions of the brain are proposed to be a central mechanism of phantom pain, a reversal of this remapping is thought to alleviate pain.

Graded motor imagery

Graded motor imagery was initially developed to help patients suffering from complex regional pain syndrome, but has since expanded to other chronic pain conditions, including phantom pain. [42] The treatment is thought to work in a similar fashion as mirror box therapy, where maladaptive cortical reorganization is reversed and there is no longer a functional connection between movement and pain. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis provided support for the use of graded motor imagery to help reduce the severity of phantom pain in amputees. [43]

Motor execution with biofeedback

Phantom motor execution with biofeedback is a newer therapeutic intervention that takes advantage of augmented and virtual reality. [44] During these sessions, patients wear virtual reality goggles that allow them to visualize their phantom limb as a normal, intact limb. They are then able to participate in different interactive games, such as reaching for and grasping objects. It is theorized that by doing so, there becomes a 'match' between the visual and somatosensory systems, which may lead to decreased phantom pain. [45] Importantly, as opposed to conventional mirror box therapy, the ability to interact with virtual reality games may increase patients' participation and result in improved outcomes. [44] Numerous case reports and case series have shown promising results, but a more robust analysis is likely needed to substantiate these claims. [46] [47] [48]

Deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation for the management of phantom pain DBS open loop.png
Deep brain stimulation for the management of phantom pain

Deep brain stimulation is a surgical technique used to alleviate patients from phantom limb pain. It is typically reserved for refractory cases or when all other therapeutic interventions have not provided relief. Prior to surgery, patients undergo functional brain imaging techniques such as PET scans and functional MRI to determine an appropriate trajectory of where pain is originating. [49] Surgery is then carried out under local anesthetic, because patient feedback during the operation is needed. In the study conducted by Bittar et al., a radiofrequency electrode with four contact points was placed on the brain. Once the electrode was in place, the contact locations were altered slightly according to where the patient felt the greatest relief from pain. Once the location of maximal relief was determined, the electrode was implanted and secured to the skull. After the primary surgery, a secondary surgery under general anesthesia was conducted. A subcutaneous pulse generator was implanted into a pectoral pocket below the clavicle to stimulate the electrode. [8] It was found that all three patients studied had gained satisfactory pain relief from the deep brain stimulation. Pain had not been completely eliminated, but the intensity had been reduced by over 50% and the burning component had completely vanished. [8] Additional studies have corroborated these findings, though more rigorous interventional trials are needed to better elucidate the safety and efficacy of this procedure. [50] [51] A recent systematic review found mixed results, also suggesting the need for additional randomized, controlled studies. [49]

Epidemiology

It is estimated that the reported prevalence of phantom pain may be as high as 80% among amputees. [4] It is more commonly observed in the adult population, with less common occurrences seen among individuals with amputations at an early age or in those with congenital limb deficiency. [15] Gender, side of limb loss, and etiology of amputation have not been shown to affect the onset of phantom limb pain. [2] One investigation of lower limb amputation observed that as stump length decreased, and therefore length of the phantom limb increased, there was a greater incidence of moderate and severe phantom pain. [8] It has also been reported that individuals with bilateral amputations, especially in the lower limbs, experience phantom pain more commonly. [52] [53]

More than half the people that experience phantom pain would also experience residual limb pain. [54]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amputation</span> Medical procedure that removes a part of the body

Amputation is the removal of a limb by trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventive surgery for such problems. A special case is that of congenital amputation, a congenital disorder, where fetal limbs have been cut off by constrictive bands. In some countries, judicial amputation is currently used to punish people who commit crimes. Amputation has also been used as a tactic in war and acts of terrorism; it may also occur as a war injury. In some cultures and religions, minor amputations or mutilations are considered a ritual accomplishment. When done by a person, the person executing the amputation is an amputator. The oldest evidence of this practice comes from a skeleton found buried in Liang Tebo cave, East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo dating back to at least 31,000 years ago, where it was done when the amputee was a young child.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pain</span> Type of distressing feeling

Pain is a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complex regional pain syndrome</span> Array of painful conditions in humans

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS Type 1 and Type 2), sometimes referred to by the hyponyms Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy (RND), is a rare and severe form of neuroinflammatory and dysautonomic disorder causing chronic pain, neurovascular, and neuropathic symptoms. Although it can vary widely, the classic presentation occurs when severe pain from a physical trauma or neurotropic viral infection outlasts the expected recovery time, and may subsequently spread to uninjured areas. The symptoms of types 1 and 2 are the same except type 2 is associated with nerve injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phantom limb</span> Sensation that an amputated or missing limb is attached

A phantom limb is the sensation that an amputated or missing limb is still attached. It is a chronic condition which is often resistant to treatment. When the cut ends of sensory fibres are stimulated during thigh movements, the patient feels as if the sensation is arising from the non-existent limb. Sometimes the patient might feel pain in the non-existent limb. Approximately 80–100% of individuals with an amputation experience sensations in their amputated limb. However, only a small percentage will experience painful phantom limb sensation. These sensations are relatively common in amputees and usually resolve within two to three years without treatment. Research continues to explore the underlying mechanisms of phantom limb pain (PLP) and effective treatment options.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. S. Ramachandran</span> Indian-American neuroscientist

Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran is an Indian-American neuroscientist. He is known for his wide-ranging experiments and theories in behavioral neurology, including the invention of the mirror box. Ramachandran is a distinguished professor in UCSD's Department of Psychology, where he is the director of the Center for Brain and Cognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensory neuron</span> Nerve cell that converts environmental stimuli into corresponding internal stimuli

Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, are neurons in the nervous system, that convert a specific type of stimulus, via their receptors, into action potentials or graded receptor potentials. This process is called sensory transduction. The cell bodies of the sensory neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirror therapy</span> Treatment for some kinds of pain

Mirror therapy (MT) or mirror visual feedback (MVF) is a therapy for pain or disability that affects one side of the patient more than the other side. It was invented by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran to treat post-amputation patients who had phantom limb pain (PLP). Ramachandran created a visual illusion of two intact limbs by putting the patient's affected limb into a "mirror box," with a mirror down the center.

Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity or brain plasticity, is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. It is when the brain is rewired to function in some way that differs from how it previously functioned. These changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections, to systematic adjustments like cortical remapping or neural oscillation. Other forms of neuroplasticity include homologous area adaptation, cross modal reassignment, map expansion, and compensatory masquerade. Examples of neuroplasticity include circuit and network changes that result from learning a new ability, information acquisition, environmental influences, pregnancy, caloric intake, practice/training, and psychological stress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoplegia</span> Paralysis of a single limb

Monoplegia is paralysis of a single limb, usually an arm. Common symptoms associated with monoplegic patients are weakness, numbness, and pain in the affected limb. Monoplegia is a type of paralysis that falls under hemiplegia. While hemiplegia is paralysis of half of the body, monoplegia is localized to a single limb or to a specific region of the body. Monoplegia of the upper limb is sometimes referred to as brachial monoplegia, and that of the lower limb is called crural monoplegia. Monoplegia in the lower extremities is not as common of an occurrence as in the upper extremities. Monoparesis is a similar, but less severe, condition because one limb is very weak, not paralyzed. For more information, see paresis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phantom eye syndrome</span> Medical condition

Phantom eye syndrome (PES) is a phantom pain in the eye and visual hallucinations after the removal of an eye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traumatic neuroma</span> Benign nerve-tissue tumor resulting from trauma to a nerve

A traumatic neuroma is a type of neuroma which results from trauma to a nerve, usually during a surgical procedure. The most common oral locations are on the tongue and near the mental foramen of the mouth. They are relatively rare on the head and neck.

Body schema is an organism's internal model of its own body, including the position of its limbs. The neurologist Sir Henry Head originally defined it as a postural model of the body that actively organizes and modifies 'the impressions produced by incoming sensory impulses in such a way that the final sensation of body position, or of locality, rises into consciousness charged with a relation to something that has happened before'. As a postural model that keeps track of limb position, it plays an important role in control of action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stump sock</span> Cloth accessory for amputation stumps

Stump socks are tubular medical or clothing accessories with a blind end that are fashioned similar to socks, usually without a heel. They are worn on amputation stumps for a number of reasons. As stump socks are typically worn on body parts that do not contain a foot, their definition is distinct from the average sock type garment.

Karen D. Davis is a neuroscience professor at the University of Toronto, the Canada Research Chair in Acute and Chronic Pain Research, and head of the Division of Brain, Imaging & Behaviour, Krembil Research Institute at the University Health Network. Davis was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars in 2009, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2018 and the Royal Society of Canada in 2020, served as President of the Canadian Pain Society (2020-2022). and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of PAIN, the journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Sensory stimulation therapy (SST) is an experimental therapy that aims to use neural plasticity mechanisms to aid in the recovery of somatosensory function after stroke or cognitive ageing. Stroke and cognitive ageing are well known sources of cognitive loss, the former by neuronal death, the latter by weakening of neural connections. SST stimulates a specific sense at a specific frequency. Research suggests that this technique may reverse cognitive ageing by up to 30 years, and may selectively improve or impair two point discrimination thresholds.

Mirror-touch synesthesia is a rare condition which causes individuals to experience a similar sensation in the same part or opposite part of the body that another person feels. For example, if someone with this condition were to observe someone touching their cheek, they would feel the same sensation on their own cheek. Synesthesia, in general, is described as a condition in which a concept or sensation causes an individual to experience an additional sensation or concept. Synesthesia is usually a developmental condition; however, recent research has shown that mirror touch synesthesia can be acquired after sensory loss following amputation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortical remapping</span>

Cortical remapping, also referred to as cortical reorganization, is the process by which an existing cortical map is affected by a stimulus resulting in the creating of a 'new' cortical map. Every part of the body is connected to a corresponding area in the brain which creates a cortical map. When something happens to disrupt the cortical maps such as an amputation or a change in neuronal characteristics, the map is no longer relevant. The part of the brain that is in charge of the amputated limb or neuronal change will be dominated by adjacent cortical regions that are still receiving input, thus creating a remapped area. Remapping can occur in the sensory or motor system. The mechanism for each system may be quite different. Cortical remapping in the somatosensory system happens when there has been a decrease in sensory input to the brain due to deafferentation or amputation, as well as a sensory input increase to an area of the brain. Motor system remapping receives more limited feedback that can be difficult to interpret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tactile hallucination</span> Hallucination involving perception of tactile input

Tactile hallucination is the false perception of tactile sensory input that creates a hallucinatory sensation of physical contact with an imaginary object. It is caused by the faulty integration of the tactile sensory neural signals generated in the spinal cord and the thalamus and sent to the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII). Tactile hallucinations are recurrent symptoms of neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Ekbom's syndrome and delirium tremens. Patients who experience phantom limb pains also experience a type of tactile hallucination. Tactile hallucinations are also caused by drugs such as cocaine and alcohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Limb telescoping</span>

Limb telescoping is the progressive shortening of a phantom limb as the cortical regions are reorganized following an amputation. During this reorganization, proximal portions of the residual limb are perceived as more distal parts of the phantom limb. Such effect is responsible for increased phantom pain due to the discrepancy between the patient’s body perception and their actual body. This effect may last from weeks up to years after post-amputation.

Dyschiria, also known as dyschiric syndrome, is a neurological disorder where one-half of an individual's body or space cannot be recognized or respond to sensations. The term dyschiria is rarely used in modern scientific research and literature. Dyschiria has been often referred to as unilateral neglect, visuo-spatial neglect, or hemispatial neglect from the 20th century onwards. Psychologists formerly characterized dyschiric patients to be unable to discriminate or report external stimuli. This left the patients incapable of orienting sensory responses in their extrapersonal and personal space. Patients with dyschiria are unable to distinguish one side of their body in general, or specific segments of the body. There are three stages to dyschiria: achiria, allochiria, and synchiria, in which manifestations of dyschiria evolve in varying degrees.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hanyu-Deutmeyer, Aaron A.; Cascella, Marco; Varacallo, Matthew (2023), "Phantom Limb Pain", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   28846343 , retrieved 2024-01-19
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 knadmin (2017-03-03). "Phantom Pain". PM&R KnowledgeNow. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  3. ↑ Poor Zamany Nejatkermany, Mahtab; Modirian, Ehsan; Soroush, Mohammadreza; Masoumi, Mehdi; Hosseini, Maryam (2016). "Phantom Limb Sensation (PLS) and Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) among Young Landmine Amputees". Iranian Journal of Child Neurology. 10 (3): 42–47. ISSN   1735-4668. PMC   4928615 . PMID   27375755.
  4. 1 2 Kaur, Amreet; Guan, Yuxi (December 2018). "Phantom limb pain: A literature review". Chinese Journal of Traumatology. 21 (6): 366–368. doi:10.1016/j.cjtee.2018.04.006. PMC   6354174 . PMID   30583983.
  5. ↑ Stover, Gary; Prahlow, Nathan (2020). "Residual limb pain: An evidence-based review". NeuroRehabilitation. 47 (3): 315–325. doi:10.3233/NRE-208005. ISSN   1878-6448. PMID   32986622. S2CID   222156523.
  6. ↑ Srivastava, Devjit (November 2017). "Chronic post-amputation pain: peri-operative management - Review". British Journal of Pain. 11 (4): 192–202. doi:10.1177/2049463717736492. ISSN   2049-4637. PMC   5661696 . PMID   29123664.
  7. ↑ Halligan, P. W. (2002). "Phantom limbs: The body in mind". Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 7 (3): 251–269. doi:10.1080/13546800244000111. PMID   16571541. S2CID   31375410.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Bittar, R. G.; Otero, S.; Carter, H.; Aziz, T. Z. (2005). "Deep brain stimulation for phantom limb pain". Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 12 (4): 399–404. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2004.07.013. PMID   15925769. S2CID   42653229.
  9. ↑ Sherman, R. A.; Sherman, C. J. (October 1983). "Prevalence and characteristics of chronic phantom limb pain among American veterans. Results of a trial survey". American Journal of Physical Medicine. 62 (5): 227–238. ISSN   0002-9491. PMID   6624883.
  10. ↑ Sherman, Richard A.; Sherman, Crystal J.; Parker, Laura (January 1984). "Chronic phantom and stump pain among american veterans: results of a survey". Pain. 18 (1): 83–95. doi:10.1016/0304-3959(84)90128-3. ISSN   0304-3959. PMID   6709380. S2CID   21102803.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Culp, Clayton J.; Abdi, Salahadin (October 2022). "Current Understanding of Phantom Pain and its Treatment". Pain Physician. 25 (7): E941–E957. ISSN   2150-1149. PMID   36288580.
  12. 1 2 "Phantom Limb Pain". Physiopedia. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  13. ↑ Flor, Herta (May 2008). "Maladaptive plasticity, memory for pain and phantom limb pain: review and suggestions for new therapies". Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 8 (5): 809–818. doi:10.1586/14737175.8.5.809. ISSN   1744-8360. PMID   18457537. S2CID   23797588.
  14. ↑ "Phantom Limb Pain: What is It, Causes, Treatment & Outcome". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  15. 1 2 3 Diers, Martin; Fuchs, Xaver; Bekrater-Bodmann, Robin; Flor, Herta (March 2023). "Prevalence of Phantom Phenomena in Congenital and Early-Life Amputees". The Journal of Pain. 24 (3): 502–508. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.010 . PMID   36273776. S2CID   253072027.
  16. ↑ Larbig, Wolfgang; Andoh, Jamila; Huse, Ellena; Stahl-Corino, Dietlinde; Montoya, Pedro; Seltzer, Ze'ev; Flor, Herta (2019-05-29). "Pre- and postoperative predictors of phantom limb pain". Neuroscience Letters. 702: 44–50. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2018.11.044. ISSN   1872-7972. PMID   30503915. S2CID   53864052.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Ramachandran, V. S.; Hirstein, W. (1998). "The perception of phantom limbs. The D. O. Hebb lecture". Brain: A Journal of Neurology. 121 (9): 1603–1630. doi: 10.1093/brain/121.9.1603 . PMID   9762952.
  18. ↑ Bennett, David L.; Clark, Alex J.; Huang, Jianying; Waxman, Stephen G.; Dib-Hajj, Sulayman D. (2019-04-01). "The Role of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels in Pain Signaling". Physiological Reviews. 99 (2): 1079–1151. doi:10.1152/physrev.00052.2017. ISSN   0031-9333. PMID   30672368.
  19. ↑ Koga, Kohei; Li, Shermaine; Zhuo, Min (2016-06-01). "Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Dependent Cortical Plasticity in Chronic Pain". Current Neuropharmacology. 14 (5): 427–434. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666150425002304. PMC   4983748 . PMID   27296638.
  20. ↑ Cruz, V. T.; Nunes, B.; Reis, A. M.; Pereira, J. R. (2003). "Cortical remapping in amputees and dysmelic patients: A functional MRI study". NeuroRehabilitation. 18 (4): 299–305. doi:10.3233/NRE-2003-18404. PMID   14757926.
  21. 1 2 Makin, Tamar R.; Flor, Herta (2020-09-01). "Brain (re)organisation following amputation: Implications for phantom limb pain". NeuroImage. 218: 116943. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116943. ISSN   1053-8119. PMC   7422832 . PMID   32428706.
  22. 1 2 Karl, A.; Birbaumer, N.; Lutzenberger, W.; Cohen, L. G.; Flor, H. (2001). "Reorganization of motor and somatosensory cortex in upper extremity amputees with phantom limb pain". The Journal of Neuroscience. 21 (10): 3609–3618. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-10-03609.2001. PMC   6762494 . PMID   11331390.
  23. 1 2 3 Giummarra, M. J.; Gibson, S. J.; Georgiou-Karistianis, N.; Bradshaw, J. L. (2007). "Central mechanisms in phantom limb perception: The past, present and future". Brain Research Reviews. 54 (1): 219–232. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.01.009. PMID   17500095. S2CID   42209339.
  24. ↑ Melzack, Ronald (August 1999). "From the gate to the neuromatrix". Pain. Suppl 6: S121–S126. doi:10.1016/S0304-3959(99)00145-1. ISSN   0304-3959. PMID   10491980. S2CID   20967995.
  25. ↑ Melzack, R. (1992). "Phantom limbs". Scientific American. 266 (4): 120–126. Bibcode:1992SciAm.266d.120M. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0492-120. PMID   1566028.
  26. ↑ Fonoff, Erich Talamoni; de Oliveira, Ywzhe Sifuentes Almeida; Lopez, William Omar Contreras; Alho, Eduardo Joaquim Lopes; Lara, Nilton Alves; Teixeira, Manoel Jacobsen (September 2010). "Endoscopic-guided percutaneous radiofrequency cordotomy". Journal of Neurosurgery. 113 (3): 524–527. doi:10.3171/2010.4.JNS091779. ISSN   1933-0693. PMID   20433282.
  27. ↑ Erlenwein, Joachim; Diers, Martin; Ernst, Jennifer; Schulz, Friederike; Petzke, Frank (2021). "Clinical updates on phantom limb pain". PAIN Reports. 6 (1): e888. doi:10.1097/PR9.0000000000000888. ISSN   2471-2531. PMC   7813551 . PMID   33490849.
  28. 1 2 Spiegel, David R.; Lappinen, Erik; Gottlieb, Michael (2010). "A presumed case of phantom limb pain treated successfully with duloxetine and pregabalin". General Hospital Psychiatry. 32 (2): 228.e5–7. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2009.05.012. ISSN   1873-7714. PMID   20303003.
  29. ↑ Mulvey, Matthew R.; Radford, Helen E.; Fawkner, Helen J.; Hirst, Lynn; Neumann, Vera; Johnson, Mark I. (April 2013). "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Phantom Pain and Stump Pain in Adult Amputees". Pain Practice. 13 (4): 289–296. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00593.x. ISSN   1530-7085. PMID   22935086.
  30. ↑ Subedi, Bishnu; Grossberg, George T. (2011-08-14). "Phantom Limb Pain: Mechanisms and Treatment Approaches". Pain Research and Treatment. 2011: 1–8. doi: 10.1155/2011/864605 . ISSN   2090-1542. PMC   3198614 . PMID   22110933.
  31. ↑ Bone, Margaret; Critchley, Peter; Buggy, Donal J. (2002). "Gabapentin in postamputation phantom limb pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study". Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 27 (5): 481–486. doi:10.1053/rapm.2002.35169. ISSN   1098-7339. PMID   12373695. S2CID   26515957.
  32. ↑ Harden, R. Norman; Houle, Tim T.; Remble, Thomas A.; Lin, Wendy; Wang, Kenten; Saltz, Samuel (2005). "Topiramate for phantom limb pain: a time-series analysis". Pain Medicine. 6 (5): 375–378. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2005.00060.x. ISSN   1526-2375. PMID   16266358.
  33. ↑ Robinson, Lawrence R.; Czerniecki, Joseph M.; Ehde, Dawn M.; Edwards, W. Thomas; Judish, David A.; Goldberg, Myron L.; Campbell, Kellye M.; Smith, Douglas G.; Jensen, Mark P. (January 2004). "Trial of amitriptyline for relief of pain in amputees: results of a randomized controlled study". Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 85 (1): 1–6. doi:10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00476-3. ISSN   0003-9993. PMID   14970960.
  34. ↑ Wilder-Smith, Clive H.; Hill, Lauren T.; Laurent, Sophie (September 2005). "Postamputation pain and sensory changes in treatment-naive patients: characteristics and responses to treatment with tramadol, amitriptyline, and placebo". Anesthesiology. 103 (3): 619–628. doi:10.1097/00000542-200509000-00027. ISSN   0003-3022. PMID   16129989.
  35. ↑ Schwenkreis, P.; Maier, C.; Pleger, B.; Mansourian, N.; Dertwinkel, R.; Malin, J.-P.; Tegenthoff, M.; Zenz, M. (September 2003). "NMDA-mediated mechanisms in cortical excitability changes after limb amputation". Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 108 (3): 179–184. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0404.2003.00114.x. ISSN   0001-6314. PMID   12911461. S2CID   45858493.
  36. ↑ Eichenberger, Urs; Neff, Frank; Sveticic, Gorazd; Björgo, Steinar; Petersen-Felix, Steen; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars; Curatolo, Michele (April 2008). "Chronic phantom limb pain: the effects of calcitonin, ketamine, and their combination on pain and sensory thresholds". Anesthesia and Analgesia. 106 (4): 1265–1273, table of contents. doi:10.1213/ane.0b013e3181685014. ISSN   1526-7598. PMID   18349204.
  37. 1 2 Ramachandran, V. S.; Rogers-Ramachandran, D. (1996). "Synaesthesia in Phantom Limbs Induced with Mirrors". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 263 (1369): 377–386. Bibcode:1996RSPSB.263..377R. doi:10.1098/rspb.1996.0058. PMID   8637922. S2CID   4819370.
  38. 1 2 Mirror therapy: A potential intervention for pain management, Wittkopf,Johnson,2017 Nov;63(11):
  39. ↑ Jessie, Barbin; Seetha, Vanessa (2016). "The effects of mirror therapy on pain and motor control of phantom limb in amputees: A systematic review". Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 59 (4): 270–275. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2016.04.001 . PMID   27256539. Up to the 26th November 2015, 85 articles were retrieved on the Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases with using the keywords phantom limb and mirror therapy. It was noted that from 2009, the number of articles increased markedly (Fig. 1), showing increased interest in MT following amputation.
  40. ↑ Campo-Prieto, P; Rodríguez-Fuentes, G (November 14, 2018). "Effectiveness of mirror therapy in phantom limb pain: A literature review". Neurologia. 37 (8): 668–681. doi: 10.1016/j.nrl.2018.08.003 . PMID   30447854. It is a valid, simple, and inexpensive treatment for PLP. The methodological quality of most publications in this field is very limited, highlighting the need for additional, high-quality studies to develop clinical protocols that could maximise the benefits of MT for patients with PLP.
  41. ↑ Foell, J.; Bekrater-Bodmann, R.; Diers, M.; Flor, H. (May 2014). "Mirror therapy for phantom limb pain: brain changes and the role of body representation". European Journal of Pain. 18 (5): 729–739. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00433.x. ISSN   1532-2149. PMID   24327313. S2CID   44669695.
  42. ↑ "Graded Motor Imagery". Physiopedia. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  43. ↑ Limakatso, Katleho; Cashin, Aidan G.; Williams, Sam; Devonshire, Jack; Parker, Romy; McAuley, James H. (2023). "The Efficacy of Graded Motor Imagery and Its Components on Phantom Limb Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Canadian Journal of Pain. 7 (1): 2188899. doi:10.1080/24740527.2023.2188899. ISSN   2474-0527. PMC   10193907 . PMID   37214633.
  44. 1 2 Boomgaardt, Jacob; Dastan, Kovosh; Chan, Tiffany; Shilling, Ashley; Abd-Elsayed, Alaa; Kohan, Lynn (2022-10-26). "An Algorithm Approach to Phantom Limb Pain". Journal of Pain Research. 15: 3349–3367. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S355278 . PMC   9618240 . PMID   36320223.
  45. ↑ Ichinose, Akimichi; Sano, Yuko; Osumi, Michihiro; Sumitani, Masahiko; Kumagaya, Shin-Ichiro; Kuniyoshi, Yasuo (August 2017). "Somatosensory Feedback to the Cheek During Virtual Visual Feedback Therapy Enhances Pain Alleviation for Phantom Arms". Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 31 (8): 717–725. doi:10.1177/1545968317718268. ISSN   1552-6844. PMID   28691602.
  46. ↑ Mercier, Catherine; Sirigu, Angela (July 2009). "Training With Virtual Visual Feedback to Alleviate Phantom Limb Pain". Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 23 (6): 587–594. doi:10.1177/1545968308328717. ISSN   1545-9683. PMID   19171946. S2CID   22995879.
  47. ↑ Cole, Jonathan; Crowle, Simon; Austwick, Greg; Henderson Slater, David (January 2009). "Exploratory findings with virtual reality for phantom limb pain; from stump motion to agency and analgesia". Disability and Rehabilitation. 31 (10): 846–854. doi:10.1080/09638280802355197. ISSN   0963-8288. PMID   19191061. S2CID   4846236.
  48. ↑ Murray, Craig D.; Patchick, Emma; Pettifer, Stephen; Caillette, Fabrice; Howard, Toby (April 2006). "Immersive Virtual Reality as a Rehabilitative Technology for Phantom Limb Experience: A Protocol". CyberPsychology & Behavior. 9 (2): 167–170. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.167. ISSN   1094-9313. PMID   16640472.
  49. 1 2 Corbett, Mark; South, Emily; Harden, Melissa; Eldabe, Sam; Pereira, Erlick; Sedki, Imad; Hall, Neil; Woolacott, Nerys (November 2018). "Brain and spinal stimulation therapies for phantom limb pain: a systematic review". Health Technology Assessment. 22 (62): 1–94. doi:10.3310/hta22620. ISSN   1366-5278. PMC   6253324 . PMID   30407905.
  50. ↑ Katayama, Yoichi; Yamamoto, Takamitsu; Kobayashi, Kazutaka; Kasai, Masahiko; Oshima, Hideki; Fukaya, Chikashi (2001). "Motor Cortex Stimulation for Phantom Limb Pain: Comprehensive Therapy with Spinal Cord and Thalamic Stimulation". Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. 77 (1–4): 159–162. doi:10.1159/000064593. ISSN   1011-6125. PMID   12378068. S2CID   29788874.
  51. ↑ Ahuja, Vanita; Thapa, Deepak; Ghai, Babita (2018). "Strategies for prevention of lower limb post-amputation pain: A clinical narrative review". Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology. 34 (4): 439–449. doi: 10.4103/joacp.JOACP_126_17 . ISSN   0970-9185. PMC   6360885 . PMID   30774224.
  52. ↑ Kehlet, Henrik; Jensen, Troels S.; Woolf, Clifford J. (2006-05-13). "Persistent postsurgical pain: risk factors and prevention". Lancet. 367 (9522): 1618–1625. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68700-X. ISSN   1474-547X. PMID   16698416. S2CID   38138668.
  53. ↑ Dijkstra, Pieter U.; Geertzen, Jan H. B.; Stewart, Roy; van der Schans, Cees P. (December 2002). "Phantom pain and risk factors: a multivariate analysis". Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 24 (6): 578–585. doi: 10.1016/s0885-3924(02)00538-9 . ISSN   0885-3924. PMID   12551807.
  54. ↑ Hanyu-Deutmeyer, Aaron A.; Cascella, Marco; Varacallo, Matthew (2024), "Phantom Limb Pain", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   28846343 , retrieved 2024-06-11
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.