Phantom pain treatment

A cortisone injection administered in April 2002 resulted in a right knee infection in the patient. Despite immediate therapy, no improvement could be achieved. In addition to antibiotic treatment, several surgeries followed with rinsing and insertion of septopal chains. This treatment was also essentially unsuccessful, so the patient was eventually transferred to a specialist hospital. Although the infection could be remedied, the cartilage was already so damaged that a TEP had to be implanted in 2004. In 2006, the infection reappeared, which is why the TEP was removed and replaced with a spacer. Thigh amputation was chosen in May 2007.

The interim treatment was performed three weeks postoperatively. Prosthetic treatment was definitively provided at the end of 2007. However, in the summer of 2008, another revision was required to remove osteophytes. This was followed by the removal of a neuroma, with severe phantom pain occurring as early as one year after amputation.

The long history triggered long-term pain therapy with morphine extended-release tablets, which was initially increased to 100 mg/day due to the tenacity of the pain. The dose could be reduced to 32 mg/day during the further course of treatment.

Despite the limited value of case reports, this case tends to show that the temporal correlations are clear that alternative treatment options, such as acupressure, can certainly achieve treatment success.

The localization of the four acupressors was carried out together with an experienced physician and pain therapist, who also worked in China, in accordance with the guidelines of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Thanks to the easy handling of the acupressors, the treatment can be carried out by the user directly and without lead time. The daily duration of the acupressure and the intervals must be defined individually. The efficacy can be determined relatively quickly. In this case, a long-term effect is demonstrated by the permanent reduction of morphine.

This short case report illustrates that research must continue in the interest of those extremely plagued people in all directions, including the inclusion of alternative methods. A proof of effect can then be substantiated by a number of products, if necessary. Unfortunately, due to the low number and the great individuality, it will hardly be possible to conduct more extensive studies with great relevance. However, a start has been made. The patient, who was immensely plagued by phantom pain, was sustainably helped. [...].