Phantom Limb Pain: Current Concepts and Treatment Strategies

Abstract

Phantom limb syndrome (PLS) is described as the perception of feelings originating from a limb that has been amputated or is otherwise absent [1]. Despite this physical absence, patients may experience various sensory and motor sensations as if the limb were still present. Phantom limb symptoms encompass a range of sensations, including the missing limb's presence, movements such as wiggling toes or opening and closing the hand, pressure, tingling, itching, temperature changes, and pain [1-3]. Phantom limb pain (PLP) is commonly encountered in these patients, and it can vary in intensity, duration, and quality, ranging from throbbing or stabbing sensations to burning or cramping feelings. There is a high statistical heterogeneity across prevalence studies due to the different time windows assessed [4-10]. However, it is estimated that approximately 60-80% of individuals who have undergone limb amputation may experience phantom limb sensations, and around 50-85% of those individuals may also experience phantom limb pain [11,12]. Several factors have been identified as potential risk factors for developing this type of pain, including the level of amputation, pre-existing pain, post-amputation pain, chronic pain history, and psychological factors (i.e., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder) [12,13].