Managing acute phantom limb pain with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Phantom limb pain is characterized by painful sensations in the amputated limb. The clinical presentation of acute phantom limb pain may differ from that of patients with chronic phantom limb pain. The variation observed implies that acute phantom limb pain may be driven by peripheral mechanisms, indicating that therapies focused on the peripheral nervous system might be successful in reducing pain. Case presentation: A 36-year-old African male with acute phantom limb pain in the left lower limb, was treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Conclusion: The assessment results of the presented case and the evidence on acute phantom limb pain mechanisms contribute to the current body of literature, indicating that acute phantom limb pain presents differently to chronic phantom limb pain. These findings emphasize the importance of testing treatments that target the peripheral mechanisms responsible for phantom limb pain in relevant individuals with acquired amputations.