Understanding Phantom Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

All Conditions

Phantom Pain

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Phantom limb syndrome

General

Phantom pain is a pain that is felt from an organ that is no longer there. In this case, pain from an amputated leg. There is no complete agreement among experts as to what is the source of the pain. In the past it was thought to be a purely psychological phenomenon, but today the common belief is that the pain originates in the nerves of the spinal cord and the brain. For most people these feelings slowly get weaker and weaker until they completely disappear, but for other it may never resolve completely.

16 people with Phantom Pain are on Alike.

"Alike is the place to get answers from people who firsthand share your health challenges"

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of pain patterns defer between individuals. Your missing leg may feel painful, tingly, prickly, numb, hot or cold. You may also feel like your missing toes are moving, like your missing limb is still there, or like it is getting shorter (telescoping). Symptoms may be triggered or aggravated by fatigue, stress, infection, body position and many more.

Diagnosis

There is no diagnostic test for phantom pain. The doctor will make the diagnosis based on your medical history and current symptoms.

Treatment

Finding the exact treatment that will relieve your pain can be complicated and tiring. Usually the initial treatment will be pharmacological, after which alternative treatment such as acupuncture can also be added. Additional treatments for difficult-to-treat cases may include local injections and an implanted device.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

Latest Discussions

Lisa808

Using Medical Marijuana Instead of Medication?

OneFootedPhoenix

Managing Phantom Limb Pain: Tips and Advice

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences