Phantom pain management nursing professional#

The areas close to your residual limb might develop remapping. However, experts believe that few things contribute to the condition.

You may also experience other symptoms in the regions away from the body, such as the foot.

The nature of pain can be cramping, shooting, stabbing, pins, needles, burning, throbbing, and crushing.

Pulsating pain that comes and goes within time.

However, you may experience the sensation after months or years.

You may develop pain during the first week of the amputation.

Here are some characteristics of phantom pain: In the following sections, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment for phantom pain. The doctor will work with you and suggest different therapies and medications for the treatment.

Phantom pain management nursing professional#

You can visit a professional pain management doctor for the treatment. However, overcoming the pain can be an arduous task for others. Usually, they recover from phantom pain over time and may not even need treatment for the condition. Research estimates show that almost 60 to 85 percent of people who undergo limb amputation experience phantom pain ( Source). This condition is common among people who needed limb amputation. On the other hand, phantom limb pain occurs when you feel pain or discomfort in a limb that is no longer there. While this condition is different from phantom pain, the sensation is similar. They consistently feel that their limb is still there. Most people, after the removal of their limbs, feel the presence of their amputated limb. However, after researching the condition, experts agree that this is a real sensation initiated by the brain and spinal cord.

Traditionally, doctors considered the condition to be psychological in nature. People experience phantom pains in parts of the body that are no longer there.

Phantom pains are a common occurrence post-amputation.