Characterisation of Phantom Limb Pain in Traumatic Lower-Limb Amputees
Table 2
Phantom limb pain descriptor characterisation by the occurrence order, intensity, and weekly frequency of complaint.
PLP descriptor
N
%
VAS
IQR
F
IQR
Movement
39
70.91
60
(50–80)
5.5
(1–7)
Itchy
32
58.18
60
(40–80)
2
(0.25–7)
Shock
28
50.91
80
(57.5–90)
7
(0.5–7)
Tingling
28
50.91
65
(50–80)
7
(0.25–7)
Throbbing
26
47.27
60
(52.5–80)
3
(0.5–7)
Pain
25
45.45
60
(27.5–80)
3
(0.5–7)
Burning
21
38.18
80
(50–80)
7
(0.25–7)
Pins and needles
19
34.55
70
(55–80)
3
(0.5–7)
Pulsing
18
32.73
55
(40–80)
7
(0.5–7)
Stitching
17
30.91
70
(50–80)
2
(0.1–3)
Cramp
14
25.45
70
(50–80)
2
(0.25–6)
Tremor
14
25.45
65
(50–90)
1.5
(1–6)
Cooling
13
23.64
60
(50–70)
7
(1–7)
Numb
13
23.64
60
(50–80)
4
(1–7)
Pressure
10
18.18
75
(52.5–87.5)
4
(1–7)
Spasm
10
18.18
60
(27.5–60)
1
(0.5–1.75)
Perforating
8
14.55
55
(45–72.5)
2.5
(1–7)
Crushing
8
14.55
55
(50–82.5)
5
(0.5–7)
Bite
6
10.91
70
(47.5–70)
1
(1–3.5)
Stabbing
5
9.09
80
(70–80)
1
(0.1–1)
Pinch
4
7.27
65
(47.5–85)
1.5
(1–3)
Stinging
3
5.45
80
(65–85)
3
(2–5)
Flushing
3
5.45
30
(25–50)
2
(0.5–4.5)
Pulling
2
3.64
75
(72.5–77.50)
2
(1–2.5)
N = number of observations; % = percentage; VAS = visual analogue scale (mm); IQR = interquartile range; F = weekly frequency of descriptor occurrence.
