Study of Phantom Limb Pain Using Peripheral Nerve and Spinal Cord Stimulation

PNS electrodes are implanted in the area of peripheral nerves of the amputated limb. During phantom pain mapping, multichannel electrodes are used to stimulate peripheral nerves at different sites in the stump. Stimulation turns on sequentially at different stimulation sites; sites are selected where pain is most effectively suppressed. These sites are assigned to the patient for daily modulation.

SNS electrodes are implanted in the area of targeted peripheral nerves in the amputated limb. During phantom pain mapping, multichannel electrodes are used to stimulate the spinal cord at different sites in the cervical thickening (C5-T1). Stimulation starts at a specific site at a frequency of 1 Hz and increases by 0.1 Hz until the patient no longer feels phantom pain. Stimulation turns on sequentially at different stimulation sites; sites are selected where pain is most effectively suppressed. These sites are assigned to the patient for daily modulation.

This procedure uses the method of electroencephalography (EEG). EEG signals are recorded during the entire experiment. First, the patient is recorded at rest with stimulator on (PNS/SCS) with eyes open and then closed, in the stimulator off state (eyes open, then closed) when patient's pain returns to its preoperative state. The stimulation is then turned back on to the original level of pain suppression. The moments of pain suppression are fixed by marking.