Phantom pain is a painful sensation that feels like it is coming from a body part that has been removed or amputated. It is usually felt immediately after the limb has been removed, but it can also occur after the removal of other parts such as an eye or a tooth.
It is important to report phantom pain as soon as it occurs so that treatment can be started. The doctor may need to do some tests and collect a lot of information about your medical history, the removal procedure, any previous health issues, and the pain you are experiencing.
The most common symptom of phantom pain is a feeling that your limb is still there, but it is not moving or functioning properly. This can be very distressing and can cause many problems. It can be triggered by stress or emotional outbursts, stump irritation, and even changes in temperature.
Some doctors believe that phantom pain may be caused by a brain or spinal cord “map” that becomes altered after the limb is amputated. This is a theory that is being explored and tested by researchers.
A therapist can help patients learn how to move their intact limb through exercises that are meant to trick the brain into thinking the limb is still there. This can reduce phantom pain.
Mirror therapy is another exercise that can be used to ease phantom pain. This involves looking at the amputated limb in a mirror while doing movement exercises. This trick tricks the brain into thinking that the limb is intact, and the pain diminishes over time.
Frequent touch on the limb is another way to lessen phantom pain. Using a shrinker sock or wearing a prosthesis that provides constant pressure on the limb can also help relieve phantom pain.
Other treatments for phantom pain include medicine, physical therapy, and coping strategies such as meditation and relaxation techniques. Your PM&R physician can provide these treatments as well as other therapies to treat the underlying cause of the phantom pain.
Medications to treat the phantom pain can include antiseizure medicines, antidepressants or other nerve medications. Some people find that these medicines work better for phantom pain than regular painkillers.
The best way to treat phantom pain is to manage the underlying problem that is causing it. This may be a stump infection, skin pathology, bone spurs, or a neuroma.
Your doctor can also help you find a rehabilitation program that includes physical and occupational therapy, along with proper stump care and prosthetic limb fit. They can also help you understand how to use your prosthesis effectively to reduce phantom pain.
Psychological support and counseling can also help you cope with your phantom pain. They may help you change the way you think about your limb and your life.
Depression is a major contributor to phantom pain. Managing depression with medication and counseling can help you reduce the amount of phantom pain you feel.
It is also important to keep in mind that phantom pain symptoms will fade away with time, and they are less likely to come back after an amputation. Most people find that their phantom pain decreases by about 75 percent or more within two years after their surgery.
