Overview
PLP (phantom limb pain) is a condition where a person who has had surgery to remove a limb, still has sensations or feelings of pain in the part of the body that is no longer there. Whilst the name suggest that this refers only to the loss of a limb, it can also include other body parts, such as the:
- Nose
- Breasts
- Teeth
- Penis
- Eyes
- Tongue
- Parts of the intestinal tract
The sensations or pain generally start soon after surgery and can be very distressing as the pain feels real. It can last for a few minutes, hours or even days and is believed to affect 8 in 10 people who have had amputations. For many people, the symptoms reduce in frequency and duration after the first six months, but for some the symptoms can last for years.
Symptoms
The sensations and pain can vary amongst individuals but are most often described as feelings of:
- Pins and needles
- Burning, itching or throbbing
- Twisting or crushing
- Shooting or stabbing
- Like an electric shock
- Tingling or cramping
- Movement, pressure or vibration
- Temperature
It is not unusual for people who have had limbs or body parts amputated, to feel a sense of loss not only for the part of their body that is no longer there, but for the things that they are no longer able to do, that they could before their surgery. They can also develop mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Living with the symptoms of PLP can be extremely challenging for people who have already had to undergo major surgery and can have a negative effect on their social, work and family life. They can have problems with intimacy and feel unable to join in with activities they once enjoyed, as they have to learn to adapt to their changed circumstances and physical limitations.
The exact cause of PLP is unknown but experts believe that the nervous system and brain mix up signals that can result in the brain remapping sensory signals to other parts of the body, so that when that area is touched, the person will feel pain in the limb or body part that has been amputated. Peripheral nerve damage can also cause increased neural activity and sensitivity resulting in pain.
Residual limb pain
Residual limb pain should not be confused with PLP as this refers to conditions that cause pain in the remaining part of the limb or stump. This can be caused by conditions such as:
- Bruising
- Skin or wound infections
- Pressure injuries like bedsores or poorly fitting prosthetics
- Bone infections
- Nerve damage or inflammation
- Poor blood flow
You should contact your doctor if you are suffering from any of these symptoms so they can resolve the problem.
Help for managing PLP
Whilst for most people PLP will go away on its own within several months of surgery, if you are struggling to manage your symptoms you should consult your doctor. They can prescribe touchweekly muscle relaxants, painkillers, antianxiety or antidepressant medications or the use of a TENS machine to manage your pain.
They can also refer you see a therapist who can help you with a variety of usa online news therapies including mirror box therapy, biofeedback, virtual reality therapy and counselling. Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free information click above link. Visit Here: quiketalk
