Phantom limb pain occurs in 70% of amputee patients and is caused by severed nerve endings in the amputated limb sending pain signals to the brain. The pain usually feels intermittent and occurs when nerves that would normally innervate the missing limb cause pain sensations. While not all phantom limbs are painful, the pain experienced is real even though the limb is illusory. Treatment options include drugs, antidepressants, spinal cord stimulation, vibration therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback. Proper operation techniques, effective pain management during and after amputation, and good stump care and rehabilitation can help avoid phantom limb pain.

1. Phantom limb pain. Kersti Rootsmaa

2. Phantom limb pain Phantom pain after an amputation. 70% of patients experience it. Usually it doesn`t need a treatment.

3. Clinical description Phantom limb pain is usually intermittent. Phantom pains occur when nerves that would normally innervate the missing limb cause pain.

4. Clinical description Not all phantom limbs are painful. Some people with phantom limbs find that the limb will gesticulate as they talk. ... but it is general, that the limb is illusory, but the pain is real.

5. Neurological basis When a limb is amputated, many severed nerve endings are terminated at the remaining stump. These nerve endings can become inflamed, and were thought to send anomalous signals to the brain. These signals, being functionally nonsense, were thought to be interpreted by the brain as pain.

6. What causes it? Less painkillers during the amputation or the painkillers wasn`t effective enough. Before amputation patient had a really strong traumatic pain.

7. Treatment Drugs, antidepressants. Spinal cord simulation. Vibration therapy, acupuncture. Hypnosis. Biofeedback .

8. How to avoid the phantom limb pain? Right operation technics. Effective painkillers during the procedure and after it. Good stump care and rehabilitation.