Technology in Anesthesia

A proof-of-concept study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine demonstrated that spinal cord stimulation can induce sensation in the missing foot and alleviate phantom limb pain in individuals with lower limb amputations. Among the 1.5 million Americans with lower-limb amputations, eight out of 10 experience chronic pain perceived in the missing limb. Traditional pain medications often prove ineffective against phantom limb pain, severely impacting quality of life. Conventional prosthetics lack sensory feedback functionality, leaving amputees susceptible to balance deficits and falls. Rehabilitation scientists used thin electrode strands implanted over the spinal cord in the lower back connected to a stimulation device, allowing researchers to modulate sensations in response to pressure on the prosthetic foot. Active control of stimulation parameters in real time was a unique feature of this research. This spinal cord stimulation technology not only relieved phantom limb pain but also enhanced balance and gait stability. Participants experienced clinically meaningful improvements in balance control and gait, with an average 70% reduction in phantom limb pain. The technology showed efficacy in individuals with peripheral nerve damage due to chronic conditions like diabetes or traumatic amputations. The approach does not require custom-made electrodes or uncommon surgical procedures, making it potentially scalable on a national level.

Source: asamonitor.pub/3NOdRZ0