Treatment of Painful Amputation Neuromas

Shim, Jae Ik; Kim, Dong Eun; Chung, In Whan; Park, Seong Kyu; Choi, Young Jong; Kim, Taik Seon

Abstract

During ten years from Mar. 1973 to Feb. 1982, 2410 amputations of limbs have been experienced in Korea Veterans Hospital. 240 painful neuromas, which developed in 203 amputated limbs of 191 patients were treated with four different methods 1) Stretching and simple transection, 2) Transection and ligation, 3) Ligation and absolute alcohol injection and 4) Implantation into bone. After following up for average 5 years and 7 months, the following results were obtained. 1. The painful neuroma occured in 191 (7.9%) out of 2410 amputees. 2. The painful neuroma developed averege 2 years and 9 months after the first amputation. 3. After transection and ligation of the nerves, the painful neuroma recurred in 19.2% of the cases. The average interval taken to recur was 2 years and 6 months. 5. After ligation and absolute alcohol injection into the nerves, the painful neuroma recurred in 14.8% of the cases. The average interval taken to recur was 2 years and 6 months. 6. After implantation of the nerve into the bone, the painful neuroma recurred in 5.7% of the cases. The average interval taken to recur was 2 years and 2 months. 7. The best results were obtained after implantation of the nerves into the bone.