Phantom pain

[TC]

Thom,

I feel sort of under qualified to have this discussion with you.  I'm not a
medical professional, just a 48yo sophomore at Texas Tech.

When I first heard of this theory, I thought this makes sense, AND I fit
into the model.  My amputation was the abrupt (construction accident)
removal of an otherwise healthy foot and ankle.  I describe my phantom pain
as all but none existent.  The occasional sensation is more accurate than
calling it pain.

However, I read an article some years ago about a team (in Australia I
think, can't be sure) that had tried to prove/substantiate this theory (or
model, I think I like model better) with very little success. 

It is entirely possible that I'm mistaken and that this model is now gaining
wider acceptance.  I'm sure you are better qualified than I to make that
judgment.  Didn't I read in a earlier post that you are an anesthetist and
MS, CRNA, FAAPM?  I'm not sure of the difference between an anesthetist and
an anesthesiologist, or exactly what these other quals are, MS means Masters
Degree to my mind.  And whatever the previous differences are, you are
certainly involved in the Medical and Pain fields.  

I think I would defer my opinion to yours.

If I have learned nothing else in college, it's that I certainly don't know
it all.  I advise anyone who thinks they do to go back to school.  They will
quickly find otherwise.

Thanks for your extremely interesting incite on this issue.

TC in TX, rbk  



-----Original Message-----
From: AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu [mailto:AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu] On
Behalf Of Thom Bloomquist
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 9:15 PM
To: Amputee Information Network
Subject: RE: Phantom pain


TC stated;
"There has been no statistical substantiation of this theory.  It just
doesn't hold water."

I must disagree.  Neuroplasticity is the one model that explains and
predicts (certainly to varying degrees) this phenomenon.

"There are many amps that had no previous problems with their limbs that
suffer tremendous phantom pain after amputation, likewise, there are many
who have had extremely painful limbs removed, who suffer almost no phantom
pain."

I agree with this observation but this has to do with individual variability
more than a faulty model. For example, we have found a gene that codes for
how many pain sensors a body will have.  It only makes sense that there
would be tremendous variability in pain reporting.  Thus the need to look at
populations and not individuals when asking questions like this one.

It sounds good, but it just isn't true.

I will consider a model that better explains the phenomenon.

Thom