Treating phantom limb pain: cryoablation of the posterior tibial nerve

Matthew Fiala; Abana Azariah; Jean Woo; Ahmed Kamel Abdel Aal; Alexa Levey

doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2022.05.042

Treating phantom limb pain: cryoablation of the posterior tibial nerve

Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Jun 27;17(9):3168-3171. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.05.042. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Authors

Matthew Fiala¹, Abana Azariah², Jean Woo³, Ahmed Kamel Abdel Aal¹, Alexa Levey¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
² Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health and Science Center at Houston, 1133 John Freeman Blvd, JJL 285A Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
³ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, 7200 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a complex pathophysiologic process involving both the central and peripheral nervous system for which there is no definitive treatment. The number of individuals living with amputated limbs is predicted to increase to 3.5 million by 2050, and up to 80% of these patients will have PLP. In this case report, we will demonstrate successful reduction of PLP in a patient with bilateral phantom toe pain utilizing nerve blockade and subsequent cryoablation of the posterior tibial nerves.

Keywords: Cryoablation; Feet; Phantom pain; Residual limb pain.

Publication types

Case Reports