Phantom limb sensations in adolescents: a case study to illustrate the utility of sensation and pain logs in pediatric clinical practice.

Although the nature of pain following amputations has been well documented for adults, little research has been conducted to determine the incidence, prevalence, and nature of phantom limb sensations and pains in children and adolescents. This case study documents the nature of phantom limb sensation (intensity, quality, location, duration, and frequency) for a 15-yr-old adolescent after leg amputation. She completed a brief sensation/pain log, consisting of quantitative and qualitative scales, for 28 days after surgery. She experienced phantom limb sensations, which spread from her toes to encompass her entire leg by day 10 after surgery. The pattern of spread was not consistent throughout this period. The quality of sensations remained relatively constant and was described as itching and tingling. The phantom sensations were not experienced consistently throughout the day, but were experienced as discreet episodes. Both the duration and frequency of these episodes decreased throughout the 28 days. Similarly, the intensity of her phantom sensations decreased gradually throughout this period. This case study illustrates how it is possible to integrate research with health care delivery in a practical manner, to obtain prospective information about the nature of childhood sensory experiences.