Phantom Limb Pain: Causes and How a Physical Therapist May Help
When an individual’s leg or arm is traumatically lost or surgically amputated, they may experience a persistent sensation indicating that the lost limb is still present. This phantom sensation, which may be unpleasant or painful, is commonly called phantom limb pain. Estimates show that while about 80% of individuals who have undergone amputations will experience this type of pain, the pain persists only about 20% of the time, with some of these individuals experiencing this pain even two years after the amputation procedure. While it doesn’t result from conditions such as depression and psychiatric stress, phantom limb pain may be…