Comparison of phantom limb pain or phantom extremity sensation of upper and lower extremity amputations

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the upper and the lower extremity amputations with regard to phantom pain, phantom sensation and stump pain. A questionnaire consisting of 23 questions was send to the patients who underwent upper or lower extremity amputation surgery between 1996-2005. The patients were questioned for the presence of phantom pain and sensations and if theyexisted for the frequency, intensity, cause of amputation, pre-amputation pain, stump pain, usage of artificial limb. Totally 147 patients were included and the response rate was 70%. The incidence of phantom pain in Upper Extremity Group was 60 % and 65.8% in Lower Extremity Group. The incidence of phantom sensations was 70.7% in Upper Extremity Group and 75.6% in Lower Extremity Group. There was no significant difference between two groups considering in phantom pain and phantom sensations. The phantom pain was significantly higher in patients who lost dominant hand, experienced pre-amputation pain and suffered stump pain. There were no significant differences in regard to phantom pain and sensation between upper and lower extremity amputations. However the presence of preamputation pain, stump pain and amputation of dominant hand were found as risk factors for the development of phantom pain.