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218 - Phantom Pain and the Use of Ablation Therapy for Treatment: A Case Report

Friday, February 28, 2025

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST

Presenting Author(s)

CJ

Chloe A. Jensen, BS

OMS-III
A.T. Still University School of Medicine in Arizona
Mesa, Arizona, United States

Co-Author(s)

TH

Tiffany Harmanian, BS

OMS-II
A.T. Still University School of Medicine in Arizona
Mesa, Arizona, United States
DH

Derek Higgins, DO

Dr. (DO)
A.T. Still University School of Medicine in Arizona
Mesa, Arizona, United States

Case Diagnosis: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a complex and debilitating condition experienced by many individuals after amputation. It manifests as pain or discomfort in the absent limb and can significantly impact the quality of life. Despite the availability of various therapeutic options, including pharmacologic treatments (e.g., opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants) and non-pharmacologic interventions (e.g., physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), some patients experience refractory PLP, necessitating the exploration of innovative treatment modalities.

Case Description: This report presents a case series involving numerous patients who underwent pulsed radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for the management of refractory PLP. Retrospective analysis on patient outcomes were assessed based on underlying conditions that led to amputation, pain intensity, medication usage, functional status, and quality of life before and after the procedure. Additionally, the occurrence of any procedure-related side effects were documented. PRFA was performed to target the nerve pathways involved in pain signal transmission, aiming to reduce pain intensity without inducing thermal damage.

Discussions: PRFA has emerged as a promising technique in pain management, particularly for PLP. Unlike traditional radiofrequency ablation, PRFA avoids thermal lesioning, making it a safer alternative for patients. The outcomes observed in this case series align with existing literature that supports PRFA’s effectiveness in reducing pain and improving the quality of life for patients with PLP. Reviews and studies, such as those by West and Wu, further reinforce PRFA’s role in managing both residual and phantom limb pain, especially when conventional therapies prove inadequate.

Conclusions: The positive outcomes in these cases emphasize the potential of PRFA as an effective treatment for refractory PLP. The improvement in pain management and quality of life observed in these patients suggests that PRFA should be considered a valuable option in the therapeutic arsenal for PLP. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to solidify PRFA's place in the treatment paradigm for PLP.