Phantom Limb Syndrome Treatments

Medications

Selected medications used to treat phantom limb pain include:

• Antidepressants—usually treat depression, but may be helpful in phantom limb pain at lower doses.
• Anticonvulsants—usually control seizures, but may also be helpful here.
• Chlorpromazine—usually treats schizophrenia, but may also be helpful here.
• Opioids—are powerful pain killers (eg, morphine).
• Clonidine—usually treats high blood pressure, but is helpful with pain generated in the brain.
• Baclofen—muscle relaxant and used to treat nerve damage pain.

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

There is evidence to suggest that stimulating the nerves or regions of the brain involved in the pain may help some patients. Examples include:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)—a tiny electric current is sent through the skin to points on the nerve pathway
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation—this is an experimental procedure involving a strong magnetic pulse sent through the scalp into the brain (provides only temporary relief)
• Spinal cord stimulation—an electrode is inserted and a small electric current is delivered to the spinal cord to relieve pain

Other Approaches

• Regional sympathectomy—a surgical procedure that interrupts selected nerves near the spinal cord affecting the perception of localized pain
• Meditation and relaxation techniques
• Biofeedback
• Hypnosis
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Exercise