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Phantom Limb Sensations and Pain Explained

Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics • June 21, 2022

If you or a loved one has experienced an amputation, you’ve likely heard of phantom limb sensation or pain, but what is it? The Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics team is here to help you understand the phenomenon and provide relief solutions. When doctors first discussed phantom limb pain sensation in the medical community, it was considered a psychological condition or a condition focusing on the nervous system at the amputation site. As knowledge of the issue increased, doctors realized neither were the case, as it is a genuine condition that affects many people who have recently had an amputation and many people born without limbs.

Phantom Limb Sensation, Phantom Pain, Phantom Limb Syndrome, Phantom Nerve Pain near Edgewood, Kentucky (KY)

Phantom Limb Sensation & Pain Explained

The most direct explanation is this: a phantom limb refers to a condition in which patients experience sensations, whether painful or not, in a part of one’s body that is no longer present. These sensations can occur in many different areas, including the arm, foot, eye, or breast, however these sensations are most often experienced in the arm and leg area. A patient is also more likely to feel phantom sensations in the part of a limb furthest from one’s body, such as the hand or foot, rather than the forearm or shin. While phantom limb sensations are uncomfortable or strange, phantom limb pain can be debilitating

When Does Phantom Limb Begin?

Phantom limb sensation is most common during the first six months following a surgery, with initial onset occurring within the first few days after the amputation. Every person with phantom limb sensation has a unique experience. The associated sensations can range from painless but uncomfortable, like an itch you can’t scratch, or various types of touch or feeling. Pain can present as one or more of the following:

An electrical shock
A burning sensation
Heavy, crushing pressure
Sharp and stabbing pain
A throbbing feeling

Why Does it Happen?

Medical research is still trying to identify the exact cause of the sensations. One theory is that the discomfort is a result of the brain’s attempts to rewire itself to overcome the lost connectivity with the nerves in the amputated limb. Pain signals are your body’s way of telling your brain there’s a problem. In the case of phantom limb, the problem is the loss of nerve connections.

Another promising theory supported by current studies is that the sensations are caused by your brain attempting to rewire its sensory circuits. The body stores sensory information in specific areas and when those areas are gone the brain must attempt to store them elsewhere. This theory helps to make sense of unusual occurrences, such as scratching your head and feeling an itch in a missing hand. Although no primary cause has been identified, researchers agree that several factors can contribute to phantom limb sensations. These factors include:

Damage to nerve endings
Scar tissue that occurs normally as part of the amputation recovery process
Memories of certain feelings such as holding hands
Improper fit of your prosthetic

Contact Us

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort following a recent amputation, contact us to make an appointment. The team at Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics is committed to helping you reduce pain and discomfort so you can spend more time enjoying everyday activities. Our office is located in Edgewood, KY, and we are proud to serve Erlanger, Florence, Covington, Fort Thomas, Union, Walton, Edgewood, Oakbrook, Taylorsport, Fort Mitchell, Hebron, Beaverlick, Burlington, Belleview, Independence, Newport, Verona, Elsmere, KY, and Cincinnati, OH.