Pain management in new amputees: a nursing perspective.

Br J Nurs

Consultant in Anaesthetics and Pain Medicine, NHS Tayside Pain Service, NHS Tayside, Dundee.

Published: May 2019

AI Article Synopsis

  • Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common and complex type of neuropathic pain that occurs after limb amputations, often starting within the first week post-surgery and affecting 50% to 85% of patients.
  • Patients experience various pain sensations in the missing limb, such as burning, cramping, tingling, and electric shocks, making management difficult due to the lack of effective treatments.
  • The authors aim to enhance PLP management by focusing on thorough assessments, evaluating suitable interventions based on existing evidence, and adapting treatment plans to meet individual patient goals.

Article Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a widespread and challenging neuropathic pain problem, occurring after both surgical and traumatic amputation of a limb. It may occur immediately after surgery or some months later, however, most cases it presents within the first 7 postoperative days. Patients report a range of pain characteristics in the absent limb, including burning, cramping, tingling and electric shock sensation. The incidence of PLP has been reported to be between 50% and 85% following amputation. Its management is notoriously difficult, with no clear consensus on optimal treatment. It is often resistant to classic balanced analgesia and typical neuropathic pain medications. Taking into account these issues, the authors aimed to improve the management of patients undergoing amputation at their institution, by ensuring accurate and holistic assessment, the selection of suitable interventions through critical analysis and synthesis of available evidence, and the appropriate evaluation and adaptation of treatment plans, to ensure patients achieved their individualised goals.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2019.28.10.638DOI Listing

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