Clinical Features of Stump Pain (Pain in an Amputation Stump)

 

Clinical features:

(1) The patient has a sharp or jabbing pain on or near the amputation stump.

(2) The pain may be made worse by pressure at the site. The patient may be unable to wear a prosthetic device.

(3) Tapping over a nerve may trigger pain.

 

Mechanism:

(1) A nerve may be trapped in fibrous tumor

(2) A traumatic neuroma may be present.

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) phantom limb pain (see above)

(2) ischemia (if the limb was amputated for gangrene)

(3) abrasion or rubbing due to a poor fitting of the prosthesis

(4) infection