The Effectiveness of Intravenous Morphine Infusion as Preemptive Analgesia in Preventing Phantom Limb Pain Following Lower Limb Amputation

ABSTRACT

Phantom limb pain may reduce ambulation and mobility in amputees, resulting in diminished quality of life. We conducted a prospective study to compare the perioperative analgesic use of intravenous morphine infusion in 27 patients (Group A) and intramuscular diclofenac sodium in 28 patients (Group B) in patients undergoing lower limb amputation. All patients underwent amputation under spinal anaesthesia and reported a Modified Verbal Numerical Pain Score of less than two prior to the procedure. Presence of phantom pain was assessed on the first, second, third and seventh day as well as at the third month and sixth month post-operatively. Twelve (44 %) patients from group A and 21 patients (75 %) from group B developed phantom limb pain following amputation, a statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.05). We conclude that intravenous morphine infusion is more effective than intramuscular diclofenac sodium in preventing the occurrence of phantom limb pain following amputation.