Phantom limb pain: a nursing perspective

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic pain condition occurring after amputation of a limb. PLP affects amputees' quality of life and results in loss of productivity and psychological distress. The origin of pain from a non-existing limb creates a challenging situation for both patients and nurses. It is imperative to provide patients and nurses with the knowledge that PLP is a real phenomenon that requires care and treatment. This knowledge will lead to reduced problems for patients by allowing them to talk about PLP and ask for help when needed. Understanding of this phenomenon will enable nurses to appreciate the unique features of this form of neuropathic pain and apply appropriate techniques to promote effective pain management. Performing accurate and frequent assessments to understand the unique characteristics of PLP, displaying a non-judgemental attitude towards patients and teaching throughout the peri-operative process are significant nursing interventions.

Competências do profissional da saúde para o cuidado da pessoa com amputação

“…16 Ao cuidador cabe o domínio de suas competências técnicas específicas para que em dada situação, conheça os tratamentos disponíveis, bem como, as possibilidades de autotratamento para assegurar que cada pessoa, seja ela com amputação ou não, recebam uma assistência individualizada e integral. 17 Na competência comunicativa, os resultados da pesquisa demonstram a incipiência na comunicação entre profissionais de diferentes níveis de atenção, o que pode limitar o acesso da pessoa com amputação aos cuidados mais adequados à sua adaptação a esta condição de saúde. Neste sentido, o prontuário eletrônico nas Redes de Atenção à Saúde (RAS), é uma possibilidade de efetivar um sistema de referenciamento e contrarreferenciamento de pessoas e estão focados em promover a integração dos pontos de atenção à saúde com eficácia.…”

Visualizing the Unseen: Illustrating and Documenting Phantom Limb Sensations and Phantom Limb Pain With C.A.L.A.

“…Additionally to PLS, which is defined as any sensation except pain ( 3 ), 45–85% of all patients suffer from phantom limb pain (PLP), which can manifest itself as e.g., stabbing, burning, twisting, or cramping ( 5 ). The term “phantom pain syndrome” was coined by Weir Mitchell in 1871 ( 4 ) when the use of the word “phantom” was commonly used in the medical field to describe pseudo-diseases, which may have contributed to the fact that PLP was stigmatized as ”imaginary“ for a long time ( 6 ).…”