What Is Post-Amputation Pain?
Post-amputation pain is a condition where people feel pain and sensations associated with an amputated limb. Immediately after an amputation, it is normal to have pain while recovering from surgery. “Phantom pain” is a sensation of pain in the limb that is no longer there.
Amputation may be needed because of a serious injury (such as a car accident or injury during military combat), diabetes complications, circulation problems, a serious infection, vascular disease or a cancerous tumor. Post-amputation pain can also affect those who have had a mastectomy for breast cancer treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of post-amputation pain include:
- Mild to severe sensations or pain in the limb that is no longer there
- Pain in the remaining part of the limb, often caused by a neuroma, which is when a growth at the end of a cut nerve develops following an injury or surgery
Treatment Options
Treatment options for post-amputation pain include:
- Injection therapies – Injections to help manage various types of pain include Botox injections, epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, sacroiliac injections and trigger point injections.
- Medication management – Your doctor may recommend medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, topical ointments, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anti-epileptics, and weak or strong opioid medications to treat your pain.
- Physical therapy – Exercises can help strengthen and support your muscles and joints.
- Stimulation therapies – Procedures can stimulate the nerves and regulate their signals to reduce pain. We offer dorsal root ganglion stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation.
Ready for an Appointment?
If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of post-amputation pain, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.
Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat post-amputation pain.