While targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is an effective technique for the prevention and management of phantom limb pain and residual limb pain among individuals with amputations, a study evaluated symptomatic neuroma recurrence and neuropathic pain outcomes between people receiving TMR at the time of amputation (acute) compared to TMR following symptomatic neuroma formation (delayed).
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective chart review of patients receiving TMR between 2015 and 2020 and collected symptomatic neuroma recurrence and surgical complications. A subanalysis was conducted for patients that completed Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments for pain intensity, interference, and behavior as well as an 11-point numeric rating scale forms.
A total of 105 limbs from 103 patients were identified, with 73 acute TMR limbs and 32 delayed TMR limbs. Nineteen percent of the delayed TMR group had symptomatic neuromas recur compared to one percent of the acute TMR group.
Eighty-five percent of the acute TMR group and 69 percent of the delayed TMR group completed pain surveys at final follow-up. Acute TMR patients reported significantly lower phantom limb and residual limb pain on the PROMIS for pain interference, and on the residual limb pain PROMIS for pain intensity in comparison to the delayed group.
The study, “Targeted muscle reinnervation at the time of amputation decreases recurrent symptomatic neuroma formation,” was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
