Every year, roughly 185,000 amputations occur in the United States due to vascular disease, trauma, and cancer. In the wake of surgery, it’s common for patients to explore pain management options as they become accustomed to life using prosthetics. Ketamine therapy is an effective method for amputees to consider. If you’re unfamiliar with this pathway, here’s what you should know. 

Understanding the Benefits of Ketamine Treatment for Amputees

How Does Ketamine Help Amputees?

Many amputees suffer from phantom limb pain or PLP following removal surgery. This ailment often requires pain management assistance from a healthcare professional as individuals experience shooting pains, aches, itching, or pressure extending from where the limb used to be. According to the Amputee Coalition, roughly 80% of amputees experience PLP and seek some form of chronic pain treatment to alleviate the problem. 

Ketamine therapy, administered via IV drip, blocks the brain’s NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate receptor to relieve phantom limb pain. An on-going study at Thomas Jefferson University noted 41% of amputee patients reported positive results in terms of pain management after receiving this treatment. 

Why is This Treatment Preferable to Other Options?

Adjusting to daily life after an amputation can be a challenge for even the most resilient individuals. The road to recovery feels particularly daunting when a patient suffers from PLP and depression as a result of their prognosis. Ketamine therapy is beneficial for both pain management and treating mental illness. Better still, it’s an alternative to opioids that are highly addictive and have negative side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression. 

Residents throughout the northeast trust Ketamine Center of Connecticut for comprehensive pain management. If you’re suffering from phantom limb pain, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, the experienced team at this inviting clinic can help you find long-lasting relief that’s effective within a matter of hours. To schedule your first appointment at one of their locations in Milford or Guilford, CT, call today at (203) 701-6388. For additional information on how ketamine therapy works and why you should explore this chronic pain treatment option with the help of a respected practice, visit their website.