Phantom pain

Phantom pain is a painful perception that an individual experiences relating to a limb or an organ that is not physically part of the body, either because it was removed or was never there in the first place.

Sensations are reported most frequently following the amputation of a limb, but may also occur following the removal of a breast, tongue, or internal organ. Phantom eye syndrome can occur after eye loss. The pain sensation and its duration and frequency varies from individual to individual.

Phantom pain should be distinguished from other conditions that may present similarly, such as phantom limb sensation and residual limb pain. Phantom limb sensation is any sensory phenomenon, except pain, which is felt at an absent limb or a portion of the limb. It is estimated that up to 80% of amputees experience phantom limb sensations at some time of their lives. Some experience some level of this phantom feeling in the missing limb for the rest of their lives. Residual limb pain, also referred to as stump pain, is a painful perception that originates from the residual limb, or stump, itself. It is typically a manifestation of an underlying source, such as surgical trauma, neuroma formation, infection, or an improperly fitted prosthetic device. Although these are different clinical conditions, individuals with phantom pain are more likely to concomitantly experience residual limb pain as well.

The term "phantom limb" was first coined by American neurologist Silas Weir Mitchell in 1871. Mitchell described that "thousands of spirit limbs were haunting as many good soldiers, every now and then tormenting them". However, in 1551, French military surgeon Ambroise Paré recorded the first documentation of phantom limb pain when he reported that "for the patients, long after the amputation is made, say that they still feel pain in the amputated part".