Sciatic nerve block for residual limb pain following below-knee amputation.

Ten adult patients with diffuse nonphantom limb pain in the residual limb following below-knee amputation underwent from one to four sciatic nerve blocks for the treatment of that pain. Amputation had been performed for peripheral vascular insufficiency in eight patients and for problems resulting from open fractures in two. None of the patients had responded to prosthetic modification, oral medication, or transcutaneous nerve stimulation for treatment of their pain. At one-year following treatment with sciatic nerve blocks as described in this report, one patient had not responded well to treatment but six patients had a resolution of their symptoms, and three had less subjective pain adequate to resume their normal daily activities.