Radiofrequency Techniques for the Alleviation of Post-amputation Phantom Limb Pain: a Systematic Review

Objective Phantom limb pain is characterized by painful sensations that emanate from portions of an amputated limb and has a prevalence estimated as high as 75–80%. Radiofrequency, which is used interventionally as either pain-ablation or neuromodulation for axial pain, has also been increasingly us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current physical medicine and rehabilitation reports 2021-12, Vol.9 (4), p.207-214
Main Authors: Meiling, James B., Raum, George M., Barndt, Brandon S., Nguyen, Nicole V., Ha, Christopher T., Beeler, Cynthia J., Smither, F. Clay
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ablation
Amputation
Amputation Rehabilitation (JM Cohen
Case reports
Data collection
Knee
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pain
Patients
Phantom limb
Rehabilitation Medicine
Section Editor
Systematic review
Topical Collection on Amputation Rehabilitation
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Summary:Objective Phantom limb pain is characterized by painful sensations that emanate from portions of an amputated limb and has a prevalence estimated as high as 75–80%. Radiofrequency, which is used interventionally as either pain-ablation or neuromodulation for axial pain, has also been increasingly used for non-axial pain. To conduct a systematic review to determine the therapeutic response of radiofrequency techniques for post-amputation phantom limb pain. Design/Methods A comprehensive search of several databases from January 1, 2000, to November 23, 2020, was conducted. Eligible study designs included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies, cross-sectional studies, case series, and case reports. The risk of bias was assessed using a tool specifically for assessing case series and case reports. We assessed the level of evidence using the Oxford tool and the quality of evidence with GRADE. A total of 98 articles were screened, with nine studies meeting inclusion criteria. Results Five studies had a moderate risk of bias, and four had a high risk of bias. All nine studies, including three case series and six case reports, discussed phantom limb pain treatment for fourteen patients by various radiofrequency techniques, including radiofrequency ablation, cooled radiofrequency ablation, pulsed radiofrequency, and low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation. Of the fourteen patients receiving one of the radiofrequency techniques, eleven (78.6%) received ≥ 50% pain relief post-intervention. No adverse effects were seen in any of the included studies. Conclusions Despite the limited quantity and quality of evidence, radiofrequency techniques show potential therapeutic benefits for phantom limb pain.
ISSN:2167-4833
2167-4833
DOI:10.1007/s40141-021-00328-1