Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41807005›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Assessment of pain and functional outcomes after lower limb amputation: a scoping review.

Jin Min Kim, Shane J T Balthazaar, Khalid Alsayed, Thomas Nightingale, Deborah Falla, Sang-Hoon Yeo, Ziyun Ding

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jin Min KimSchool of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK j.m.kim@bham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8571-8825
Shane J T BalthazaarSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Khalid AlsayedSchool of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Thomas NightingaleSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2947-4931
Deborah FallaSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1689-6190
Sang-Hoon YeoSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Ziyun DingSchool of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPain, including phantom limb pain (PLP), residual limb pain (RLP) and low back pain (LBP), is highly prevalent after lower limb amputation (LLA) and compromises quality of life. Although both pain and function have been studied extensively, methods of assessment and reporting vary, limiting comparability. A clearer overview of how these domains are measured and interrelated is needed to guide research and practice.

objectiveTo synthesise evidence on how postamputation pain and functional outcomes have been assessed and reported in adults with LLA, and to examine reported relationships between pain and mobility/function.

designScoping review guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO (inception to 15 August 2025). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Quantitative studies that measured pain and functional outcome in adults with LLA. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently extracted study characteristics, pain measures and functional outcomes in Covidence; findings were narratively synthesised.

resultsEighty-four studies were included. RLP (n=46), LBP (n=32) and PLP (n=28) were most frequently examined. Pain was mainly assessed by self-report scales; mobility was typically assessed by clinical tests and less often by biomechanical instrumentation. PLP was associated with altered gait and balance deficits; RLP with limited walking distance, asymmetric weight-bearing and reduced community participation; LBP with gait asymmetry, trunk-pelvis discoordination and increased energy cost of walking.

conclusionsPostamputation pain is often linked to reduced mobility and functional limitations. However, heterogeneous definitions and inconsistent methodology hinder synthesis across studies. Future research should combine validated pain scales with objective analysis, wearable sensors and musculoskeletal modelling to clarify mechanisms and inform rehabilitation.

Indexed as

Amputation, SurgicalLow Back PainLower ExtremityPhantom LimbHumansPain MeasurementQuality of LifeAmputation, SurgicalChronic PainGaitLower Extremity

Identifiers

PMID41807005
PMCPMC12983873

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.