Prevention

Because the risk of developing phantom pain is higher for people who have experienced pain in the limb before amputation, some doctors numb the limb for several days before the amputation surgery. However, this practice hasn't been consistently effective in preventing phantom pain.

Two drugs have shown promise in preventing phantom pain.

• Calcitonin (Miacalcin). Researchers aren't sure why calcitonin — a hormone produced by the body that slows the rate at which your body breaks down bone — provides pain relief. You may receive this drug directly into a vein (intravenously) during the week after amputation.
• Ketamine (Ketalar). This anesthetic drug is sometimes given after surgery to help prevent phantom pain. Its side effects can include sedation, hallucinations and delirium.

2007-11-09

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