A cross-sectional study of post-amputation pain in upper and lower limb amputees, experience of a tertiary referral amputee clinic.

Purpose: To determine the pain characteristics and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) of upper and lower limb amputees.

Method: Amputees attending the Prince of Wales Prosthetic Clinics in 2006 were administered a questionnaire survey of their pain experiences, Short form McGill pain questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF 36) and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ).

Results: Of the 17 who were upper limb amputees (including the two multiple limb amputees), only 1 was pain free and of the 39 who were lower limb amputees 14 were pain free.