Mirror Therapy in the Treatment of the Phantom Pain - Case Report

Anita Stankovic*

Received: November 15, 2018;   Published: November 29, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.11.002116

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Abstract

Phantom pain, pain that patients feel in the place when missing limb would be, occurs in 50-85% of amputees. It is a known fact that mirror therapy can help in treatment of this unbearable problem. This case study presents a patient, who is insulin dependent diabetic, extremely obese, limited in her day to day activities and practically immobile. Above the knee right leg amputation was done due to severe skin infection of the right foot and shin. Taking her weight into consideration (>135kg), special reinforced prosthesis was made. During the rehabilitation she abruptly developed a severe pain in the missing limb, which she described as a hard, deep, and pressure like. We tried to manage it with pain killers, which did not have any impact on the intensity of the pain. The patient’s condition was accompanied by symptoms of depression - crying, sadness, insomnia, hopelessness. Since symptoms have persisted, mirror therapy was included. In the assessment of the pain intensity, a numerical scale of pain was used (no pain 0- unbearable pain 10). PHQ-9 and BDI were used to evaluate depressive behaviors. Every day for three weeks the mirror has been placed in that manner, so that she sees the existing leg in it as hers missing contralateral limb. She also performed a light 20 minutes exercise. Before the therapy, the patient assessed the intensity of the pain with 9, after one week pain was reduced to 4, and after three weeks it was graded with 1. Symptoms of depression followed the pain reduction. At the end of her hospital rehabilitation she was advised to continue the therapy at home. Mirror therapy proved to be simple, effective and inexpensive solution for phantom limb pain in this particular case.

Keywords : Mirror Therapy; Pain; Amputation