Residual limb pain is the pain felt in the part of a limb that remains after an amputation. It is an unpleasant sensation triggered by the nervous system.
- SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- CAUSES OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- DIAGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- TREATMENTS FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- PROGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- COMPLICATIONS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN AND AYURVEDA
- NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- AYURVEDIC LOCAL TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- HOME REMEDIES FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- YOGA FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
The following types of pains manifested;
- Throbbing pain
- Burning feeling
- Stabbing pain
- Squeezing or pressure
CAUSES OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Infections
- Poor blood supply to the limb
- Neuropathy
- Entrapment of nerves
- Formation of tumour (neuroma)
- Ill-fitting prosthesis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
In the case of infections, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight off the infection, which leads to inflammation, which causes localised pain. Psychosocial factors like stress are also contributing to pain. A neuroma is a collection of nerve endings that forms under the skin of the residual limb.
DIAGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Proper history taking
- Physical examination of the site of pain
- Neurological examinations
- Laboratory tests are done to find out underlying pathology
TREATMENTS FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Analgesics
- Treatment of underlying pathology
- Physiotherapy
- Antidepressants
PROGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Prognosis is based on the cause of the pain, duration and condition of the patient
- In some, pain may persist for few months to 1 yr
COMPLICATIONS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Damage of nerves
- Depression may occur due to persistent pain
RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN AND AYURVEDA
- In Ayurveda, residual limb pain is managed based on Vatavyadhi
- Vata vyadhi can be correlated to neurological or neuromuscular disorders. The causes and pathogenesis of diseases caused by vitiation of Vata dosha, in general, are the exclusive cause and pathogenesis ofpain, numbness, weakness.
NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
The pain may be triggered by;
- Excess consumption of ununctuous, cold food
- Excessive physical exercise.
- Suppression of natural urges.
- Trauma
- Injuries
PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Pain in the residual limb – toda
SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Vata, pitta and kapha dosha move through all channels of circulation. Due to the subtle nature of vata it impels the remaining two doshas.
- The aggravated vata having provoked these two doshas, exacerbated and fills up the empty channels and moves greatly inside them or by getting enveloped by the other doshas.
- The aggravated vata resides in the residual limb and produces different kinds of aches and pains.
LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Toda – aching pain
- Ruk – a type of pain
- Bhedanam – cutting pain
- Sada – weakness
AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Pain associated with traumatic injuries is difficult to cure – krichra sadhya
CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
Ayurvedic local treatment for residual limb pain
- Svedam – Fermentation
- Pain-relieving lepa application
- Abhyanga – oil massaging
AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Dasamoolarishtam
- Rasaraj ras
- Laksha guggulu
- Trayodasanga guggulu
- Mahayogaraja guggulu
AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- VASTHI – Medicated enema
COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
Internal administration
- Balarishtam
- Dhanwantharishtam
- Rasaraj ras
- Laksha guggulu
- Trayodasanga guggulu
- Mahayogaraja guggulu
External application
- Snehadhara – with balaswagandha tailam and ksheerabala tailam
HOME REMEDIES FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Proper rest
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Bathing in warm water
- Massaging
DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Avoid food items that produce vata dosha imbalance like cold and dry food, hard to digest. Because vata imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
- Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
- Avoid heavy exercises which further aggravate the conditions.
- Oil massage on the affected area is advised. That alleviates vata dosha.
- Take proper rest.
YOGA FOR RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – calms the mind and gets relief from aches and pains
The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.
- Savasana – relaxes body and mind
RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF RESIDUAL LIMB PAIN
- Pain management through ayurveda
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331672467_PAIN_MANAGEMENT_THROUGH_AYURVEDA_A
- Various methods of pain management in ayurveda- a review article
https://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/33032018/1523880026.pdf