When you shake someone’s hand, kick a soccer ball or move any muscle, your brain sends signals through the nervous system so the right muscles move. But when a limb has been amputated, these signals travel all the way to the amputation site before suddenly stopping. This causes a variety of painful sensations called phantom limb pain.
An innovative surgical procedure called targeted muscle reinnervation, or TMR, helps treat the cause of phantom limb pain.
During the procedure, the ends of amputated nerves are connected to nerves of nearby, intact muscles. These new nerve connections give signals from the brain a place to go. This can often reduce or resolve phantom limb pain.
Who Would Benefit from Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)?
Many different problems can result in amputation, including:
No matter the cause, phantom and residual pain can make daily life a challenge. Two out of every three patients with limb loss suffer from chronic pain. Proper pain management can make it easier to function and reduce pain.
Meet our TMR providers
RUSH Excellence in Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR)
- Personalized care plan: Every patient has different needs. During your visit, we will discuss the full spectrum of treatment options available to reduce pain and improve your daily life. We’ll help you figure out if a surgery like TMR is appropriate. Your care plan may also include nonsurgical options, such as medication management and rehabilitation guidance.
- Smart, dedicated professionals: Phantom limb pain is a complex problem. We have a team of compassionate specialists available to care for you. Depending on your personalized plan, you may work with experts in plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery and physical medicine and rehab.
- One system, many resources: At RUSH, we work tirelessly to create a seamless care experience. From our collaborative approach to providing opportunities for clinical trials (when appropriate), RUSH provides a wide range of services to treat phantom limb pain.