Phantom limb pain: a review of pharmacological management.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a complex condition resulting in pain in the missing limb affecting 60-80% amputees. Increasing number of patients are undergoing amputations. Approximately 1 per every 1000 people in the United Kingdom is an amputee. Incidence of PLP can be as high as 80% following amputation. PLP can be severe and difficult to treat. A range of pharmacological interventions exist yet little is known about them in respect to PLP. This article will address the effectiveness of both single pharmacological, therapy as well as drug combination therapy.

Methods

We reviewed all literature looking at the evidence for the efficacy of both single and combined pharmacological therapy in the management of phantom limb pain. Not all commonly prescribed analgesic

SUBMITTER: Hall N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6194972 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature