NEWS: Phantom Pain àremains one of the most intriguing neurological conditions, where individuals continue to feel sensations or pain in a body part that has been amputated or removed.

ABOUT

• Phantom Painà Neurological condition in which a person experiences pain in a missing body part.
• First described by French surgeon Ambroise Paré in the 16th century.
• The term “Phantom Limb” was coined by Silas Weir Mitchell in 1871.
• Can occur after the removal of limbs, breasts, eyes, teeth, or even after rectal surgery.

PHANTOM SENSATION VS PHANTOM PAIN

• Phantom SensationàFeeling that the missing body part still exists; usually harmless.
• Phantom Painà Painful sensations arising from the absent body part, affecting daily life and sleep.

SYMPTOMS

• Burning, stabbing, throbbing, cramping pain.
• Electric shock-like sensations.
• Tingling, itching, or feeling that the missing limb is moving.

PREVALENCE

• Global: 50–80% of amputees.
• India: 40–70%, particularly among patients with diabetes-related amputations, trauma, and vascular diseases.

CAUSES

• The brain retains a neural “map” of the missing limb.
• Remaining nerves send abnormal signals interpreted as pain.
• Mismatch between brain memory and nerve activity leads to phantom pain.

RISK FACTORS

• Severe pre-amputation pain.
• Poor post-operative pain control.
• Traumatic amputations and nerve injuries.
• Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep disturbances.

TREATMENT

• Medicationsà Gabapentin, Pregabalin, antidepressants.
• Mirror Therapyà Creates the visual illusion of the missing limb to help reorganize brain perception.
• Rehabilitationà Early prosthetic fitting and physical stimulation.
• Psychological Supportà CBT and counseling.
• Emerging Therapiesà Virtual Reality (VR)-based rehabilitation and brain stimulation techniques.