Phantom Limb Pain
Phantom limb pain is a complex condition that causes pain or discomfort in a limb, organ, or body part that is no longer physically present on or within the body. Although phantom limb pain is common in patients who’ve had an arm or leg removed, this post-amputation phenomenon may also occur in those who’ve had other body parts removed, including the ears, breasts, genitalia, tongue, and eyes.
Learn about your treatment options
The first step in treating your pain is to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis, you and your doctor can determine your best treatment options. At The Pain Center, we offer traditional and state-of-the-art therapies to treat your pain and help get you back to your normal activities.
Causes of Phantom Limb Pain
For years, it was believed this unique anomaly was purely psychological. Now, research indicates pain from phantom limb pain develops in the spinal cord and brain. The exact cause of the condition, however, remains unclear. Possible causes of phantom limb pain may include:
- The misfiring of signals within the spinal cord and brain, causing pain to areas surrounding the missing limb.
- Damaged nerves or scar tissue at the site of amputation causing pain.
- Emotional stress or prolonged pressure from a prosthetic.
Phantom Limb Pain Symptoms
Phantom limb pain could get better over time for some individuals, but many times the pain becomes chronic. Symptoms of phantom limb pain generally include:
- Stabbing, aching or burning pain near the area of a limb that no longer exists
- Pain that develops within days of an amputation or traumatic injury
- Pain that affects limbs farthest from body (feeling pain in the foot of an amputated leg)
How to Treat Phantom Limb Pain
Patients may benefit from a combination behavioral health therapies and interventional pain therapies, some of which include:
Get the care you need within 24 hours*
We know when you’re looking for relief for your chronic pain, you can’t wait any longer than you already have. This is why we can schedule you with an appointment within 24 hours at most of our pain centers across the Valley, so you can start your journey to life-long pain relief as soon as tomorrow.