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Phantom Limb Case Studies

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Phantom Limb Case Studies
A phantom limb is the belief that a limb that has been removed or amputated is still present in the body and performing its normal functions. Amputees usually experience sensations including pain in the phantom limb. It is estimated that more than 80% of patients with partial or total loss of a limb develop chronic phantom-limb pain (PLP), pain that seems to be located in the missing limb. Risks factors for PLP include gender (PLP being more common in women), upper extremity amputation, presence of pre-amputation pain, residual pain in remaining limb, or time after amputation. Further, stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional triggers also highly likely contribute to PLP. Recommended preventive measures include using pre-emptive and postoperative perineural or epidural local …show more content…
The patient will then for example, try and swing at a ball with a baseball bat through the virtual reality equipment or try and write.
In conclusion, Phantom Limb pain is a rather common and disabling condition. We have learnt and been able to develop some forms of pain relievers for Phantom limb pain since we first found out about it. However, there is still no one unifying cure to help the sufferers of this condition. Specific mechanism-based treatments are still evolving, and most treatments are based on recommendations for neuropathic pain. Further research is needed to make it clearer what exactly is needed to treat
Phantom limb pain and what exactly causes
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