Amputation positively contributes to the lives of patients with long-standing, therapy-resistant type-I complex regional pain syndrome, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
The study included 21 patients who underwent amputation of a nonfunctional limb due to therapy-resistant type-I complex regional pain syndrome between May 2000 and October 2008. The researchers conducted an interview and examined the patient’s residual limb, and each participant completed two questionnaires.
The researchers found that amputation positively contributed to lives of the participants, with 95% of participants reported an improvement in their lives after the amputation. Additionally, 90% reported a reduction in pain, 81% experienced an improvement in mobility and 67% reported an improvement in sleep. The type-I complex regional pain syndrome recurred in the residual limb of 3 patients (14%).
For more information:
Krans-Schreuder HK. J Bone Joint Surg Am.2012;doi: 10.2106/JBJS.L.00532.
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
