A reliable method to treat post-amputation pain remains elusive, but a new Northwestern Medicine study conducted in collaboration with Ukrainian physicians suggests that hydrodissection – a simple procedure that injects fluid around nerves – may reduce residual limb pain and opioid dependence.
The study is the first to evaluate hydrodissection for post-amputation pain, a condition affecting millions worldwide that is notoriously difficult to treat.
It will be published on Wednesday (Feb. 19) in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
Adding hydrodissection to opioid treatment for post-amputation pain not only appears to improve pain outcomes, but also shows mental-health benefits.”
Dr. Steven P. Cohen, senior study author, professor of anesthesiology and the vice chair of research and pain medicine,…