Text Size

Health

Conditions | Phantom Pain

Phantom pain is pain that feels like it's coming from a body part no longer there. Doctors now recognize a physical cause for this pain, and understand that this post-amputation phenomenon originates in the brain.

Learn More About Phantom Pain

Need to know more about how phantom pain will affect you or someone you care for? Learn all the basics of phantom pain and what it does:

     » Introduction to Phantom Pain
     » The Signs of Phantom Pain
     » What Causes Phantom Pain?
     » Treatments for Phantom Pain

Features on Phantom Pain

Depression Worsens Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom Pain can Occur in recently amputated limbs. Find out how depression can increase this pain.

» Read More

Live Forward with Phantom Pain

Talking About Pain—So Your Doctor Understands

Talking to your doctor can be overwhelming, especially when it’s about pain. Find out how to tell your doctor how you’re feeling.

» Read More

Screening and Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Self-Care

Risk Factors

by MayoClinic.com

It's still unknown why some people develop phantom pain after an amputation while others do not. Some factors that may increase your risk of phantom pain include:

Pain before amputation. Some researchers have found that people who had pain in a limb before amputation are likely to have it afterward, especially immediately after amputation. This may be because the brain holds on to the memory of the pain and keeps sending pain signals, even after the limb is removed.
Stump pain. People who have persistent stump pain usually have phantom pain, too. Stump pain can be caused by a neuroma, an abnormal growth on damaged nerve endings that often results in painful nerve activity.
Poor-fitting artificial limb (prosthesis). Talk to your doctor to be sure you're putting your artificial limb on correctly and that it fits right. If you think your artificial limb may not fit properly, or is causing pain, talk to your doctor.

2007-11-09

© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Terms of Use

Newest | Popular