Phantom limb pain

What is phantom limb pain?

When a limb is amputated, some people continue to feel the pain that may have been in the arm or leg before it was amputated. Others feel a completely different type of pain, which can be burning, cramping, heat, or cold, to name a few.

Why does it cause pain?

There are many theories of why the pain exists, but nothing has been really determined yet. The good thing is that it is now recognized and not considered to be an emotional reaction to losing a limb.

What can be done?

Treatment for phantom limb pain can be very tricky – it’s often a matter of trial and error to find what works for each person. Even with all the different things that can be tried, some people never find relief from the pain.

Some treatments are:

·         Medications

·         Biofeedback

·         Relaxation

·         Pressure to the stump

·         Heat

For more in-depth information, here are some sites that have reliable and up-to-date information:

Amputee Web Site

Cleveland Clinic