Frontiers in Pain Research (Aug 2024)

Epidemiology and risk factors for phantom limb pain

  • Shoji Ishigami,
  • Shoji Ishigami,
  • Carol Boctor

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2024.1425544
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Approximately 356 million limb amputations are performed globally every year. In 2005, the prevalence of limb loss in the United States was 1.6 million people; and it is estimated to increase to 3.6 million by 2050. Many post-amputation patients experience chronically altered sensations and pain associated with the amputation, such as phantom limb pain. The risk factors for phantom limb pain are widely debated in the literature due to the heterogeneity of the population being studied. This review will highlight both the non-operative and operative risk factors for phantom limb pain.

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