Two cases of successful phantom limb pain treatment: Acquisition of phantom limb movement and phantom limb removal

Abstract

[Purpose] Phantom limb pain varies with pain characteristics. We report here, the results obtained after various interventions applied in accordance with phantom limb pain characteristics. [Subjects and Methods] Patient A presented with deep pain resulting from a below-knee amputation, and patient B presented with superficial pain resulting from an above-elbow amputation. For patient A, the plan was to control the phantom limb pain using mirror therapy and voluntary movement intervention. For patient B, the plan was to eliminate the phantom limb itself by administering a sensory discrimination task to the stump. [Results] Patient A acquired voluntary phantom limb movement, accompanied by elimination of the phantom limb pain. Patient B had improved stump sensory function, which induced a change in the type of phantom limb, eliminating the phantom limb pain. [Conclusion] In the present cases, good results were obtained from different interventions applied in accordance with the phantom limb pain characteristics.