Pulsed Radio Frequency Energy for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is one of the most difficult and puzzling challenges faced by patients after limb amputation. Postamputation sensation in the missing limb has been described since the 16th century.(1) Almost all individuals who have had an amputation have a sensation of a phantom limb, including some with congenital absence of a limb, or spinal cord injury affecting sensation.(2-5) Many patients report not only sensation, but also pain in the phantom limb; in about half these patients, the pain may be moderate to severe and for some may become chronic. (6,7)