Phantom Limb Pain
Phantom limb pain is the sensation occurring after the functional loss of a body part. While most phantom limb pain is associated with traumatic loss of limbs, it is also known to occur after surgical amputation of limbs, breasts, or other body parts. The exact mechanism causing phantom pain is not entirely clear, but the end result is that the missing member is experienced as being excruciatingly painful. Phantom limb pain is distinct from phantom distortions, which are often felt immediately after loss. In the case of distortions, the missing member is still experienced as part of the body, but in a twisted, unusually bent position. Often distortions are described in terms of the limb telescoping into itself.
In phantom limb pain, there is tremendous pain that appears to be centrally neuropathic in nature. In most situations, phantom distortions improve over time, but in phantom limb pain the suffering may go on for years. Recently, there has been an attempt made to reduce the occurrence of phantom limb pain by performing preemptive blocks that render the soon-to-be missing member anesthetic before its removal. While this is possible for elective surgery, it is not possible for traumatic injuries; however, the US military has been routinely placing catheters into major nerves and plexi after traumatic injuries to mitigate the likelihood of phantom limb pain and to provide a more effective level of analgesia.