Abstract

Background: An amputation is defined as the removal of a part or all of a limb of the body due to trauma, vascular disease, infection, tumors, neurological disorders, congenital deformity, etc. Residual limb pain (stump pain) is the pain arising from the residual part of the body. It is commonly a sharp, sticking, or pressure feeling that, although diffuse, is localized to the end of the residual limb. Stump pain is caused by a number of pathologies, including vascular insufficiency, bony spurs, skin damage, and neuromas. PLP is a painful or unpleasant sensation in the distribution of the lost or defective body part and is characterized by pain such as sharp, shooting, or electrical-like, dull, squeezing, and cramping. Where the pain induces, the fear of movement is associated with a feeling of vulnerability to injury in response to movement. The advancement of acute pain to persistent and chronic pain occurs as a result of decreased use of the painful area due to fear of an increase in pain as a result of movement. This fear of movement is termed kinesiophobia and is defined as an excessive, irrational, and debilitating fear of movement or physical activity. Aim: To study the correlation of residual limb pain and phantom limb pain with kinesiophobia in patients of amputation. Relevance of study: There are two types of pain experienced by the amputees post-amputation, primarily i.e., residual limb pain (RLP) and phantom limb pain (PLP). Residual limb pain (stump pain) is the pain arising from the residual part of the body. It is commonly a sharp, sticking, or pressure feeling that, although diffuse, is localized to the end of the residual limb. PLP is a painful or unpleasant sensation in the distribution of the lost or defective body part. Where the pain induces, the fear of movement is associated with a feeling of vulnerability to injury in response to movement. Methodology: In this correlational study, 30 participants experiencing RLP and/or PLP were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Evaluation of RLP and PLP was done using pain assessment on a numerical pain rating scale. Result: The present study resulted in a positive correlation between RLP and kinesiophobia with a correlation coefficient r = 0.7855 and a p-value <0.0001 (extremely significant), indicating that the correlation is significant, and a negative correlation between PLP and kinesiophobia with a correlation coefficient r = 0.4854 and a p-value <0.1159 (not significant). Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between RLP and kinesiophobia, i.e., when there was high RLP intensity, it was associated with greater kinesiophobia and vice versa.