PHANTOM LIMB PAIN

Course overview

PHANTOM LIMB PAIN IS THE PERCEPTION OF PAIN OR DISCOMFORT IN A LIMB THAT IS NO LONGER THERE. PLP MOST COMMONLY PRESENTS AS A SEQUELA OF AMPUTATION. THE UNDERLYING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REMAINS POORLY UNDERSTOOD. THE CONDITION SHOULD BE DIFFERENTIATED FROM OTHER RELATED CLINICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN, WHICH WAS FORMERLY CALLED "STUMP PAIN" AND IS PAIN THAT ORIGINATES FROM THE ACTUAL SITE OF THE AMPUTATED LIMB THAT TENDS TO RESOLVE WITH WOUND HEALING. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PHANTOM LIMB PAIN AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS PAIN.