Charcot Neuroarthropathy Is Associated With Higher Rates of Phantom Limb After Lower Extremity Amputation.

Background: The incidence of phantom limb pain in patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy who undergo major amputation is not well described. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy and diabetes who underwent either a below-knee amputation (BKA) or above-knee amputation (AKA) had an increased rate of phantom limb pain compared with those with a diagnosis of diabetes alone.

Methods: Using international classification of disease (ICD) and common procedural terminology (CPT) codes, the TriNetX research database identified 10 239 patients who underwent BKA and 6122 who underwent AKA between 2012 and 2022. Diabetic patients with and without Charcot neuroarthropathy were compared in terms of demographics and relative risk of developing phantom limb pain after AKA or BKA.

Results: Age, sex, ethnicity, and race did not significantly differ between groups. Charcot neuroarthropathy was associated with significantly increased risk of phantom limb pain following both BKA (risk ratio [RR]: 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.3, P < .01) and AKA (RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3, P < .0068).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that patients with a coexisting diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy who require BKA or AKA may have an increased risk of developing phantom limb pain.

Levels of evidence: Level III.