Prophylaxis
A key factor in the development of phantom pain is the severity and duration of the pain before removal of the body part. Therefore, optimal pain management before amputation is the central approach to prevent phantom pain. This is the only way to prevent the formation of a pain memory. Consistent pain therapy should also be provided after the operation. In addition, during the operation itself, pain stimuli can be reduced by anaesthetic procedures close to the spinal cord.
Prognosis
The prognosis of phantom pain depends primarily on the earliest possible start of therapy. With optimal pain therapy in the first weeks, good therapeutic success is reported in 70-90% of patients. If pain therapy is started with a delay, this is the case in only about one third.It is generally not possible to predict the duration of phantom pain.
Spontaneous cessation is possible, as is the return of pain after pain relief. Pain that persists for longer than six months is considered to be prognostically unfavorable.
