Phantom Limb Pains, second post
There are several complications that people who have
below knee amputations (BKA) and below elbow amputations (BEA) must live with.
One of the most common complications is referred to as phantom sensations or
phantom limb pains. When an individual experiences Phantom limb pains (PLP),
they experience ongoing painful sensations that seem to be coming from the limb
that has be previously amputated. PLP are experienced by 80% of all individuals
who have had a limb amputated. Phantom limb pains are most commonly felt in the
arms or legs, but they have reportedly been felt in other parts of the body
that have been previously amputated, such as the breast.
What causes phantom limb pain is not entirely known. Many experts believe that phantom pain may
be partially explained as a response to mixed signals from the brain. After an
amputation, areas of the spinal cord and brain lose input from the missing limb
and adjust to this loss of attachment in unpredictable ways. The result can
trigger the body's most basic message that something is not right, resulting in
a painful sensation. Studies have also shown that after an amputation the brain
may remap that part of the body's sensory circuitry to another part of the
body. So basically, because the amputated limb is no longer available to
receive sensory information, the information is now being directed somewhere
else. This redirection of sensation results in pain. When redirection occurs,
even the slightest touch can trigger pain. For example, if the sensory
information is redirected to a different limb or a cheek, touching that limb or
cheek will create a sensation as if the limb that was previously amputated is
being touched, thus resulting in pain.
So, what do PLP feel like? Like anything else,
different people have different experiences when it comes PLP. In the past, the
pain has been described as burning, shooting, “like pins and needles”,
twisting, crushing, and “like an electric shock”. Aside from pain you can also
experience other sensations including movement, temperature, pressure,
vibration, and itching.
As far as living with PLP, there is no drug that specifically
treats PLP, but some do give temporary relief. Drugs such as Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline,
Tramadol, and Ultram can temporarily ease nerve pain by changing chemicals in
your body that send pain signals. Most people use a combination
of medication and non-drug therapies to deal with their PLP. Some of the on-drug
therapies include nerve stimulation, mirror box therapy, and acupuncture.
This phenomenon has always been really interesting to me, and an example of how our bodies are so complex and simple at the same time. I have heard that phantom limb pains persist throughout ones life time but with more mild effects as time goes on, such as feeling an itch that isn't there. Its just incredible the lengths our minds can go to sometimes to simulate everything being "normal". I also wonder if animals experience this, as I think I remember reading somewhere or seeing videos of animals licking at limbs that are no longer there.
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting! I've always wondered about how this occurred. It's crazy how our minds work. I never knew there were treatments for phantom limb pains. I had never actually thought about it. I can't imagine what these people are going through. To feel pain in a place that's not actually there. It's insane. This was a really great post!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of phantom limbs. I can definitely see how it would work though. The brain is made to function in a certain way and that is why it has so many complications when a traumatic event occurs. It doesn't surprise me that the brain would have a hard time understanding that a limb is no longer there. I feel awful for people that do in fact have to experience this. But at the same time I think it is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI've always found this phenomenon to be very interesting. It amazing how the mind works and how it can even trick itself sometimes. It has to be a strange sensation to feel something like that. Great post!
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