Phantom limb

Question 1

what do amputations cause

Answer 1

reorganisation of S1

Question 2

what is phantom pain caused by

Answer 2

reorganisaion of S1 - pain comes directly from brain (no stimulus)

Question 3

what do amputees often report

Answer 3

vivid sensory representation of their missing limb
phantom mvmts of the missing limb
feel phantom limb with stimulation of other body parts (reference field)

Question 4

what are reference fields

Answer 4

the areas in S1 adjacent to missing limb may being to take over during remapping
- ex: arm and face are next to hand so patient may feel pain in face during reorg

Question 5

what is a way to relieve phantom pain

Answer 5

mirror box therapy - gives the illusion of phantom limb moving

Question 6

when is the best time to do mirror box therapy and how much

Answer 6

early = more effective because less remapping has occurred
more therapy = less remapping

Question 7

what occurs to the motor areas of the brain during phantom limb

Answer 7

representation of limb is preserved in the brain
- motor areas of the brain are active when the individual with phantom hand is asked to move their hand

Question 8

is there a relationship between sensory and motor reorg

Answer 8

yes - they will reorg at the same time

Question 9

what is the relationship between cortical reorg and phantom pain

Answer 9

more reorg = more pain