Tuesday, February 27, 2007

New Study Probes Phantom-Limb Pain Relief

New Study Probes Phantom-Limb Pain Relief
Aggressive Pain Care Recommended for Iraq and Afghanistan Amputees
CHICAGO, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Wounded veterans and others facing
limb amputations may avoid long-lasting phantom-limb pain through
aggressive pain management before and after surgery, according to a study
in The Journal of Pain.
Researchers at the University of Washington examined the impact of
intense pre-amputation pain and acute pain following amputation as
predictors of long- term pain. It was assumed pain before amputation can
produce pain 'memories' in the nervous system that persist after limb loss.
The condition is known as phantom-limb pain. Fifty-seven patients with
lower-limb amputations were evaluated. The average age was 44 and 70
percent required amputation from a traumatic injury.

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posted by db @ 9:10 PM   1 comments

1 Comments:

At 7:28 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

This is an excellent summary for the "common person" on the need for appropriate pain care before and after amputation for victims of war related injuries.

The "pain memory" is actually more lasting, enduring, and in need of attention than other "simple memories". A pain memory is coded into our peripheral nerves, spinal cords, brain stems and cerebrum.

Injuries sustained in a war zone atmosphere will require more attention and much more care. The care needs to be comprehensive and intensive.

The high level of treatment should not be delayed or reserved for those who fail to respond to simple treatment. Waiting to initiate "intense" treatment is accepting a course of treatment that will result in a high unacceptable rate of failure.

Actually - a population of war victims who are left with pain should be considered a medical emergency and a lot of resources should be dedicated to their care and healing. Pain can be quite intense in this population even if the person isn't going to lose a limb.

There is no lab test for pain. If someone in a population at risk (such as a war victim) says they hurt they should not have to have physical proof of incipient loss of a body part to be taken seriously and treated in an acute, comprehensive and kind manner.

Thanks for allowing me to comment.

Barbara Wilson, MD
Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Neurology

 

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