Chronic intense pain localised to the site of an amputated or denervated limb; 60–70% of amputees have a phantom limb sensation; 10–15% have phantom limb syndrome; the pain often reflects the amount of pre-amputation pain, and is often refractory to excision of amputation neuroma, rubbing, electrical stimulation, peripheral nerve or spinal blocks, narcotics, sympathectomy
Treatment Use of a mirror in a box that places the intact limb visually in the same site as the missing extremity; with the use of symmetrical movements, the patient ‘unlearns’ activities that were formerly carried out by the missing limbphantom limb syndrome
Chronic intense pain localized to the site of an amputated or denervated limb; 60-70% of amputees have a PL sensation; 10-15% have PLS; the pain often reflects the amount of pre-amputation pain, and is often refractory to excision of amputation neuroma, rubbing, electrical stimulation, peripheral nerve or spinal blocks, narcotics, sympathectomy
