Phantom pain describes a painful sensation that can occur in a limb that is no longer present due to trauma or surgical amputation. It is often described as a shooting or burning type pain. The sensation can be constant for some people, but intermittent for others. Phantom pain is more common after amputation of a leg or an arm, but can also be experienced after removal of other body parts including the breast after mastectomy or the eye after eye removal (known as enucleation).
Causes:
The exact cause of phantom pain is unknown, but it's associated with the following:
The exact cause of phantom pain is unknown, but it's associated with the following:
- Pain experienced prior to amputation
- Nerve damage
- Prior arterial blood clot
- Neuroma (nerve tumor)
Treating Phantom Pain:
Treatment of phantom pain includes medications and other options. Medications used include opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and anesthetics, to name a few. Non-pharmacological management measures include TENS devices, acupuncture, and electroconvulsive therapy.
Treatment of phantom pain includes medications and other options. Medications used include opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and anesthetics, to name a few. Non-pharmacological management measures include TENS devices, acupuncture, and electroconvulsive therapy.
