While amputation often causes changes in painful and nonpainful sensory experiences, pain after amputation has also been shown to increase functional limitations caused by limb loss and lower quality of life.
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the effect of pain on activity and participation in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputations according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.
In the study, 64 individuals were divided into two groups: those who experienced pain and those who did not. Group one included 33 people with transtibial amputations who experienced pain (27 males, mean age 43.9 ± 12.6 years). Group two included 31 people with transtibial amputations who did not experience pain (25 males, mean age 47.4 ± 12.1 years). The McGill Pain Questionnaire and visual analog scale were used to assess pain, the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility was used to assess activity, and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index was used to assess participation.
Demographic characteristics of the two groups were statistically insignificant. The nonpainful group had significantly higher activity and participation scores than the painful group.
Researchers found that phantom limb pain and pain in the residual limb for those with transtibial amputations limited activity and participation. The study also showed that phantom pain has a more negative effect on the activity level of individuals than residual limb pain.
The study “Effect of pain on activity and participation in individuals with unilateral lower-extremity amputation based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health” was published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
