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Phantom limb pain

Description

After one of your limbs is amputated, you may feel as if the limb is still there. This is called phantom sensation. You may feel:

• Pain in your limb even though it is physically not there

• Tingly

• Prickly

• Numb

• Hot or cold

• Like your missing toes or fingers are moving

• Like your missing limb is still there, or is in a funny position

• Like your missing limb is getting shorter (telescoping)

Treatment

Medicines that may help include over-the-counter agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Prescription medicines including anti-seizure and antidepressants can help. Injections of botulinum toxin can reduce sweating and help with pain control.

What to Expect

These phantom sensations slowly get weaker. You should also feel them less often. They may not ever go away completely.

Pain in the missing part of the arm or leg is called phantom pain. You may feel:

• Sharp or shooting pain

• Achy pain

• Burning pain

• Cramping pain

Some things may make phantom pain worse, such as:

• Being too tired

• Putting too much pressure on the stump or parts of the arm or leg that are still there

• Changes in the weather

• Stress

• Infection

• An artificial limb that does not fit properly

• Poor blood flow

• Swelling in the part of the arm or leg that is still there

Self-care

Try to relax in a way that works for you. Do deep breathing or pretend to relax the missing arm or leg.

Reading, listening to music, or doing something that takes your mind off the pain may help. You may also try taking a warm bath if your surgery wound is completely healed.

Ask your health care provider if you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), or other medicines that help with pain.

The following may also help lessen phantom pain.

• Keep the remaining part of your arm or leg warm.

• Move or exercise the remaining part of your arm or leg.

• If you are wearing your prosthesis, take it off. If you are not wearing it, put it on.

• If you have swelling in the remaining part of your arm or leg, try wearing an elastic bandage.

• Wear a shrinker sock or compression stocking.

• Try gently tapping or rubbing your stump.

References

Bang MS, Jung SH. Phantom limb pain. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 108.

Dinakar P. Pain management. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 52.

Waldman SD. Phantom limb pain. In: Waldman SD, ed. Atlas of Common Pain Syndromes. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 111.

Review Date: 6/13/2024

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.