Prevalence of Phantom Pain in Patients with Lower Limb Amputation in District Swabi

Background: Phantom limb pain is a complex phenomenon experienced by many individuals following amputation. It is often described as painful sensations perceived in the absent limb, with varying intensity and duration. PLP not only affects the physical well-being of amputees but also has psychological and social consequences that can compromise overall quality of life. Despite its clinical importance, limited data are available on the prevalence and severity of phantom limb pain in lower-limb amputees within District Swabi. Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of phantom limb pain among lower-limb amputees in District Swabi using the McGill pain questionnaire. Methodology: Following the approval of the research proposal by the relevant institute, ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Ethical Committee of NCS University, Swabi campus. This investigation employed a cross-sectional study design, and data were collected over six months from lower-limb amputees experiencing phantom pain in District Swabi. Informed consent was secured from participants, and a total of 250 individuals aged 20 years who had undergone amputation were initially enrolled consecutively. Written information about the study was provided to all eligible amputees across different areas of Swabi, including the Chal Foundation Swabi and District Headquarters Hospital Swabi. The McGill pain questionnaire was administered, and informed consent was obtained before participants completed the survey. The qualitative variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 180 participants, 5 (2.8%) reported mild phantom pain, 64 (35.6%) experienced moderate pain, 105 (58.3%) were categorised as having severe pain, and 6 (3.3%) reported extreme phantom pain. The majority of participants, particularly females, were observed to be suffering from severe phantom pain following lower-limb amputation. Conclusion: It concludes that phantom limb pain is highly prevalent among lower-limb amputees in District Swabi, with most individuals reporting a moderate to severe level of pain. These emphasise the need for improved clinical awareness, effective pain management strategies, and larger-scale studies to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing the burden of phantom limb pain in amputee populations.