Pioneering treatment could freeze out phantom limb pain
Scientists have developed a pioneering technique that significantly reduces phantom limb pain—chronic pain emanating from the site of amputated limbs.
In a study, interventional radiologists applying cryoablation therapy, a minimally invasive targeted treatment using cold blasts, shows promise in improving the quality of life for patients suffering phantom limb pain.
“Until now, individuals with phantom limb pain have had few medical interventions available to them that resulted in significant reduction in their pain,” said J. David Prologo, M.D., assistant professor in the division of interventional radiology at Emory University School of Medicine. “Now, with the promise of cryoablation, these individuals have a viable treatment option to target this lingering side effect of amputation—a condition that was previously largely untreatable.”
