Immediate Postoperative Virtual Reality Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain in Multiextremity Amputees: A Report of 3 Cases.

CASES: Three consecutive patients (16F, 52F, and 58F) underwent multiextremity amputation with targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface. Virtual reality (VR) therapy began postoperatively and continued for 6 to 10 weeks as needed, with assessment at 8 months. The patients experienced negligible-to-mild adverse effects (mean Simulator Sickness Questionnaire: 12.5) and reported good usability (System Usability Score: 62.5). Phantom limb pain decreased from 9.5/10 to 2.3/10 during VR (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

These cases demonstrate that VR can be safely and effectively implemented postoperatively following multiextremity amputation, suggesting potential for expanded use even in similarly complex cases.