Ever heard of phantoms? Ghosts, spirits, translucent floating souls - basically something we feel, but a presence we can’t prove. Well, guess what, they are real. Just maybe not in the way you have imagined them.
Patients have woken up from sedatives to real sharp, throbbing sensations in their arms or legs - only to find out their limb has been amputated. Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a condition in which the patient feels pain in a limb which is no longer there. For years, people didn’t know how to treat this. But recently there has been a breakthrough! And no, the solution is not the Ghostbusters, it’s Altius®.
With the development and approval of Altius® - an implantable medical device - in 2024, Neuros Medical has changed the game in the field of Bioelectronic Medicine. The device works by emitting a high frequency nerve block to the targeted nerve. Think of it like noise-canceling headphones, but for your nerves. Just as the headphones block outside noise so you can enjoy the silence or music, the Altius system blocks pain signals from reaching the brain, allowing patients to live without the constant phantom pain.
It consists of a cuff electrode placed around the nerve and a generator (similar to a pacemaker). The device delivers high frequency electrical pulses (5-10khz) which inhibit the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Results from a study showed that patients who used the Altius system reported significant pain relief, with many experiencing a reduction of over 50% in their pain scores. It has improved the quality of life, sleep and overall functional ability.
This is a huge step forward in treating chronic pain without relying on medications. By targeting the source of the pain directly, bioelectronic medicine like the Altius system offers a new hope for amputees suffering from phantom limb pain.
