Phantom Limb

Learn more about the Phantom Limb and other medical symptoms..

Below you can find further information on this medical area. All this information is freely available for re-distribution both privately and commercially, according to the GNU free documentation license.

After a person's limb has been amputated, about 50-80% of amputees experience phantom sensations that seem to be coming from the missing body part. If the feeling is intense enough, these sensations are called phantom pains or phantom limb syndrome. Phantom pains can also happen to people who are born without limbs and people who're paralyzed. A phantom sensation is when a person feels that their missing limb is still attached to the body and moves appropriately with other body parts. An example of this is one man who had both his arms amputated but he insisted he could still feel his arms swing when he walked. Phantom pains happen when the missing limb causes discomfort. The "pain" doesn't usually hurt but it is intense enough to be considered painful which is why it's called "phantom pains." Some of the feelings include warmth, cold, itching, squeezing and burning. The "pain" can be frequent or only once a year, if at all.

The missing limb often feels shorter (telescoping). The phantom limb may feel as if it is in a distorted and painful position. The pain can be made worse by stress, anxiety and weather changes. Some treatments include drugs such as antidepressants. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be a very effective treatment for phantom pain. An electrical stimulator is implanted under the skin and an electrode is placed next to the spinal cord. The nerve pathways in the spinal cord are stimulated by an electric current. This interferes with the impulses travelling towards the brain and lessens the pain felt in the phantom limb. You will feel a tingling sensation in the phantom limb. Vibration therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback may all be used to treat phantom pain, but are often of little help. The pain can sometimes be helped by keeping busy and occupying your mind. Massaging the stump can sometimes help. The pain can often be prevented by the application of not only a general but also a local anaesthesia while amputating a limb.

Back to main Medical Symptom page

Can't find what you are looking for?
Use our site search facility...

WWW Men's health Matters

Home I Search Site I Site map I Conditions I Symptoms I News Archive I Forum I Contact us I About us I Access Keys

All information published on this web site is for information purposes only. The content of this web site should not be used for a conclusive diagnosis or for choosing a treatment. The content on this site has been provided as a guideline and general information it is not intended to replace professional medical care. In all serious cases it is advisable to recieve attention from a qualified medical practitioner.