• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
IMPORTANT: Please click here to read our COVID-19 announcement.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Yelp

Horton's Orthotics & Prosthetics

Request Appointment Patient Registration Pay Your Bill
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
  • Services
    • Prosthetics
    • Orthotics
    • Pedorthotics
    • Mastectomy
  • New Amputees
    • Education
    • H.O.P.E.
    • A.B.L.E.
    • Amputee Guide to Proper Fit
    • Diabetic Health Tips to Prevent Amputation
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact

Header Search

phantom limb pain with a prosthesis

January 2, 2015

How to Manage Phantom Limb Pain With a Prosthesis

Can phantom limb pain really be treated with a prosthesis? Regular prosthesis wear and new innovative myoelectric prosthetic devices appear promising for amputees.

Studies estimate that 80% of amputees suffer from phantom limb pain. While phantom limb pain is most commonly experienced following the amputation of an arm or a leg, it can occur with any limb amputation. Phantom limb pain has been notoriously difficult to treat with therapy, as no one solution works for every amputee and even those who experience relief with medication run the risk of addiction. Fortunately, new technologies for treating and managing this pain have been promising, such as those that help patients to reduce their phantom limb pain with a prosthesis.

What Causes Phantom Limb Pain?

Each case of phantom limb pain is different, and only a doctor will be able to determine exactly what’s causing and triggering the sensations of your pain. However, phantom limb pain is typically felt in the remaining part of the limb and caused by a pre-existing condition or something that occurred during the amputation. Specifically, some of the most common causes include:

  • decreased blood supply to the limb (typically occurs during surgery)
  • entrapments of the nerves found in scar tissue
  • a previous medical condition, such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

It has also been hypothesized that phantom limb pain may be caused by a lack of feedback between the remaining limb and the brain. Specifically, parts of the brain that were previously responsible for controlling the limb now take over the processing of other stimuli in the body. This leads to over-stimulation and stretching, tightening, burning, cramping, crushing, or shooting pain.

Traditional Treatment Options

Unfortunately, phantom limb pain is very difficult to treat. Most people only find relief by taking high-strength painkillers or other medications. However, this poses a problem because these high-dosage pain medications inherently come with their own risks and side effects. Other treatments options, such as psychotherapy and electrical stimulation, can become expensive if you need them consistently.

Managing Phantom Limb Pain With Prosthetics

Because of their direct contact with the amputation site, prosthetic devices themselves can act as a therapeutic technique for managing phantom limb pain. Strategic bandaging and shrinker socks apply even pressure on the remaining limb, which may help to reduce or alleviate your pain. In addition to improving circulation, wearing your artificial prosthetic limb and moving around may also help to alleviate phantom limb pain by stimulating nerves and blood flow.

One treatment option is that of an innovative prosthetic device that actually enables feedback between the artificial limb and the brain itself, thus solving the problem of over-stimulation. This device is known as a myoelectric prosthesis.

Specifically, these new prosthetic devices work through the use of electronic sensors usually located along the muscle belly of the intact residual limb musculature. These sensors detect minute nerve, muscle, and EMG activity that is translated to electric motors to control movements of the artificial limb.

Studies have shown that this ability of the prosthesis to draw upon the same brain resources—or neural impulses—that once controlled the anatomical limb can alleviate phantom limb sensation. The myoelectric technology enables the user to visualize the amputated limb and engage the areas of the brain that are responsible for limb movement. Because the brain processes transmissions from electrode sites in the artificial limb much like it does with a real limb, phantom pain will not be as prevalent.

Doctors and surgeons continue to encourage studies on managing and reducing phantom limb pain with the use of alternative methods such as prosthetics. While more studies certainly need to be done, it seems that amputees living with phantom limb pain have more assistive options.

If you or someone you know is dealing with phantom limb pain, call 501-683-8889 or contact Horton’s Orthotics & Prosthetics to learn more about treating phantom limb pain with a prosthesis. You can also find support with peer group meetings through A.B.L.E. – Amputees Beyond Life’s Expectations.

[maxbutton name=”Download Prosthetics 101″]

In Prosthetics

Like this post?

More posts

how to travel with a prostheticAugust 13, 2014

Summer Vacations: How to Travel with a Prosthetic or Orthotic Device

sports prosthetics for athletesSeptember 25, 2014

How Advanced Prosthetics Are Changing the World of Sports and Its Athletes

how are prosthetics madeMarch 9, 2015

Custom Limbs: How Are Prosthetics Made?

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Services

  • Prosthetics
  • Orthotics
  • Pedorthotics
  • Mastectomy

Do you have a Question?

Ask Hope
Hope

Contact Us

www.hortonsoandp.com
webinfo@hortonsoandp.com

Call Us: (501) 683-8889

Request an Appointment

 

Footer

Services

  • Prosthetics
  • Orthotics
  • Pedorthotics
  • Mastectomy

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Horton's Orthotics & Prosthetics © 2023 | All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsAccept
Cookies Consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT