Phantom limb pain--a complication of lower extremity wound management

Amputation is one treatment option for patients with critical limb ischemia, diabetic foot wounds, and occasionally, even venous leg ulcers. Amputation of the whole limb or part of it or the digits can cause complications including pain. Post-amputation pain, and especially phantom limb pain (PLP), is a poorly understood phenomenon. Effective management of established pain is a major challenge. This review is for wound workers who are a multiprofessional group. Any amputated limb, appendage, or viscera can be affected by PLP,though the focus of this article will be the treatment of PLP following limb loss. The pathophysiology is still not fully understood. The size of the problem of PLP, possible underlying physiological mechanisms, and potential preventative measures are presented in this article.