bdmj
New Member
Posts: 1 
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Post by bdmj on Aug 19, 2016 8:17:53 GMT -7
I had surgery a little over a month ago to remove my foot after a motorcycle accident and I've been reassured that every thing is healing really well but ever since the operation I get feelings of tightness and spasms in my residual limb...Is this normal? I don't think I would call it phantom pain but people have told me it's just because it's healing? Does anyone know what it is and if it's normal and how long abouts does it last? Thank You
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Post by snowyh on Aug 21, 2016 19:54:51 GMT -7
Hi, bdmj, and welcome to the forum. I can't really answer your question... my surgery's been so long ago I can't remember squat. I'd suggest you ask your orthopedic surgeon about what to expect in the healing process. I agree with you that it's likely NOT phantom pain (which is felt in the amputated portion of the limb), but rather post-surgical stump sensations.
Helen
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murg
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by murg on Jan 12, 2017 20:56:09 GMT -7
Hi, I am Steve, and I lost my left leg AKA about a year and a half ago after a motorcycle accident. I had those spasms. they lasted a couple months but were gone by the time I was fitted with the prosthesis. Although I agree it doesn't sound like phantom pain, I found mirror therapy helped with both. (may have been the lyrica the doctor prescribed too - not confirmed). give it a try - it's simple. Put your foot up on a footstool (no shoe or sock) and prop a mirror between your legs so the reflection of the mirror looks like your missing foot is back. the more naturally you can align the mirror to create a natural and seamless reflection of your body the better. gently wiggle your toes of both feet (try to on the amputated side at least) and focus on the reflection of the mirror. do this for about 20 minutes a session once or twice a day. I no longer suffer from spasms or phantom pain, however I can feel the missing limb still. My toes, instep, heel, and calf all tingle most of the time.
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amyj
Female Member 
Posts: 13 
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Post by amyj on Jan 25, 2017 17:15:36 GMT -7
Hey BDMJ,
I hope you are well. And would you mind sharing some of your experience with me? I've decided to amputate due to chronic refractory osteomyelitis, bone infection. I also have MRSA, no spleen and I'm allergic to sulfa's. It seems we have motorcycles in common! I'm probably about six months behind you in the process. Your experience may be something helpful to me, something I can strive towards. Thank you, AmyJ
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Post by bassett on Mar 25, 2017 12:20:50 GMT -7
Amyj, I'm another motorcycle accident, and I guess I'm 2 months past you months process. Had a BKA on March 16th. Are you in a prosthetic yet?
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slip2117
New Member
BKA - 4/2016
Posts: 5
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Post by slip2117 on Nov 17, 2017 11:39:11 GMT -7
I'd say your having phantom sensations over pain. I became BKA April 2016 and had those for a couple of months. Spasms sucked at times, they could be quite powerful but eventually calmed down. I still get tingling in the middle of "foot" or side of my "ankle". I was told by the surgeon it's just a part of healing and nerves trying to figure out what just happened so give it time. Had a revision a little over a month ago (neuroma and shorten distal fibula) and spasms came back but have since subsided.
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mrmcstubby
New Member
1 3/4-legged active lifestyle nut (RBK)
Posts: 3
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Post by mrmcstubby on Nov 19, 2017 10:24:36 GMT -7
I second the mirror therapy - it works to retrain you mind to the idea that the new sensations you are feeling are OK. Definitely set it up so the mirror image looks like your gone limb, and work residual muscles to duplicate the movement of your sound limb. My surgeon also recommended (and I did) desensitization which can also be done with the mirror. Deep muscle and tissue massage, as deep and as close to the scar as I could do without creating any pain. At first I was far away, but within a few days, I could get right up to the stitches.
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