phantom limb pain

phan·tom limb pain

the painful sensations experienced in an amputated (phantom) limb, most often the upper extremity; typically comprises burning or aching pain, exacerbated by attempted movement of the phantom limb and by emotional stimuli. Synonym(s): phantom limb, pseudesthesia (3) , pseudoesthesia (3) , stump hallucination

Chronic intense pain localised to the site of an amputated or denervated limb; 60–70% of amputees have a phantom limb sensation; 10–15% have phantom limb syndrome; the pain often reflects the amount of pre-amputation pain, and is often refractory to excision of amputation neuroma, rubbing, electrical stimulation, peripheral nerve or spinal blocks, narcotics, sympathectomy
Treatment Use of a mirror in a box that places the intact limb visually in the same site as the missing extremity; with the use of symmetrical movements, the patient ‘unlearns’ activities that were formerly carried out by the missing limb

phan·tom limb

, phantom limb pain (fan'tŏm lim, pān) The sensation that an amputated limb is still present, often associated with painful paresthesia.
Synonym(s): pseudesthesia (3) .