Dallas (Cityville)
214-456-5540
Fax: 214-867-6901
Dallas
214-456-8131
Fax: 214-456-0654
Plano
214-867-1200
Fax: 214-867-9480
The Pediatric Pain Management Center at Children’s Health℠ offers children and parents a specially trained team that evaluates and treats chronic pain, acute pain and headaches. Our interdisciplinary approach involves many other specialties to treat pain using multiple approaches at once. The Center can help lessen the pain associated with a variety of diseases and disorders including, but not limited to, chest and back conditions, nerve injuries, rheumatologic conditions, sports injuries, cancer and phantom limb pain (phan·tom - limb - pain). We also have a dedicated headache clinic for those children suffering from headaches.
214-456-5540
Fax: 214-867-6901
214-456-8131
Fax: 214-456-0654
214-867-1200
Fax: 214-867-9480
Some children who have been born without a limb or who have had a limb amputated feel pain in the non-existent body part. This is often called phantom pain. This pain is caused by damaged nerves from the amputated limb that continue to send signals to the brain. These signals are interpreted as pain.
While the pain your child experiences is not caused by an actual injury, the sensations are very real and can include burning or shooting pain, achiness or cramping, or pins-and-needles feelings. Phantom limb pain is a well-recognized pain syndrome for which treatment is available.
To diagnose phantom limb pain, your child’s provider will do a detailed physical exam of your child. Your provider will want to know about the type of pain or sensation and when it is typically experienced. If your child experiences phantom limb pain after an amputation, the provider will also want to know about the circumstances of the removal of the limb.
While the pain your child experiences is not caused by an actual injury, the sensations are very real. Following an amputation, there are still nerves present in the remaining portion of the limb and these nerves send pain signals to the brain and tell the brain that the limb is still present.
Phantom limb pain can disappear on its own. But for pain that is experienced over time, a specific treatment plan will be created based on your child’s symptoms, level of pain and age.
Multiple phantom pain treatments may be combined and can include:
Phantom limb pain can resolve on its own with time. Over time, pain can interfere with your child’s quality of life and decrease physical function. Phantom limb pain is a well-recognized pain syndrome for which treatment is available.