Brain Stroke: Warning Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death...
Read More
HELPLINE: +91-11-30403040 +91-11-30403040
Centre of Excellence
Sub-Specialities
Thorax & Lung Cancer Programme Head and Neck Cancer Programme Thoracic Cancer Programme Breast Cancer Programme Thyroid Cancer Programme Advance Urology Cancer Programme Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Programme Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Programme Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Programme View AllSub-Specialities
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant Haploidentical Donor Transplant Reduced Intensity Transplant Lymphoma BMT Cancer Program View AllSub-Specialities
Clinical & Critical Cardiology Non-Invasive Cardiology Interventional Cardiology Electrophysiology And Arrhythmia Services Cardiothoracic And Vascular Surgery Technology For Heart Care Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery - CABG Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery - MICS Nuclear Cardiology View AllSub-Specialities
Advanced Aneurysm Treatment Minimally Invasive Neuro Spine Surgery Neuro-endoscopy Surgery Functional Neurosurgery Stroke Microscopic / Endoscopic Disc Surgeries Spine Fusion Surgery Back Pain Management View AllSub-Specialities
Clinical, Critical Nephrology And Blood Pressure Clinic Kidney Transplant Haemodialysis Endourology Reconstructive Urology Laparoscopic Urology Paediatric Urology Female Urology Andrology View AllSub-Specialities
Paediatric Surgery & Paediatric Urology Paediatric Intensive Care Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Paediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine General Paediatrics Paediatric Cardiology Paediatric Nephrology Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Paediatric Neurology View AllProcedures
Sub-Specialities
Sub-Specialities
Sub-Specialities
Conditions
Procedures
Specialities
Conditions
Procedures
Procedures
Liver ResectionConditions
Procedures
Robotic Gynae SurgeryProcedures
LaryngectomyFind Doctors
Phantom limb refers to the persistence of the sensation that a limb is still present even after amputation. About 90% of patients undergoing amputation experience phantom limb after its removal.
Amputated Limb
The phenomenon of the phantom limb can occur due to:
The most common sensation associated with a phantom limb is pain. But few patients experience different forms of sensations like:
In most cases, phantom limbs recover with time. But if the symptoms like pain are prolonged, the treatment modalities will be required. Multiple treatment options are available to treat symptoms associated with a phantom limb, as mentioned below:
These medications can relieve the pain associated with a phantom limb. Antiseizure, antipsychotics, muscle relaxants and painkillers drugs can also help.
Therapies like acupuncture and mirror therapy also help to relieve symptoms associated with a phantom limb.
Some cases may require invasive therapies like spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are also beneficial.
If other treatments do not help, surgical brain stimulation is used for stimulation of the motor cortex.
Some risk factors that increase the chances of developing phantom limb include:
If the limb that has to be amputated has pain, the brain will retain the feeling of pain in the limb even after its removal.
If during amputation the nerves get damaged, the pain in the remaining limb increases the chances of the phantom limb with pain sensation
If the amputation site develops a blood clot, the risk of phantom limb increases.
There is no specific test to diagnose the phantom limb and its pain. The physical examination and medical history related to amputation are used to analyse the condition. In addition, if the phantom limb is associated with pain sensation, the doctor will rule out other causes of pain, including infection and pain in the residual limb. Ultrasounds and blood tests are advised to rule out these causes.
Semblance, Illusion
The chronic pain associated with the phantom limb can affect the day-to-day activities of amputees. But the combination of treatment with non-invasive and invasive treatment modalities can help recover from the phantom limb and pain associated with it.
Usually, the phantom limb decreases with time and even disappears after a few months. As the healing of a wound after amputation takes 3-6 months, at the same time, the nervous system signals adjust to changes in the sensory input from the amputated limb leading to the disappearance of the phantom limb.
There are multiple theories to explain the pathophysiology of phantom pain. During amputation, the peripheral nerves of the limb get damaged and disrupt the input and output signals associated with an amputated limb. These changes lead to persistent sensation in the amputated part of the limb. Due to the restructuring of cortex receptors after amputation, the neighbouring sensory receptors in the cortex that supplies the remaining limb appear as sensations in the amputated limb.
The phantom limb is commonly associated with chronic pain sensation. This regular pain results in disturbed sleep related to patients waking up multiple times. The sleep disturbance further leads to worsening pain.
An additional complication commonly associated with phantom pain includes depression. Due to impaired activities in the presence of chronic pain, patients experience anxiety and depression.
Early detection and an appropriate treatment plan prevent pain progression and save an individual from associated complications.
If you are facing any similar signs or symptoms please contact the BLK-Max team to schedule an appointment at : +91-11-30403040
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death...
Read MoreParkinsons disease is a neurological disorde...
Read MoreBlood clot in the brain happens when the blo...
Read More![]() |
If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms like scratchy throat, extreme tiredness, fever, body ache, cold or cough, or have tested positive, call our free COVID-19 teleconsultation helpline to consult with Max doctors.
1. Lately, unauthorized individuals have attempted to make fraudulent representations of BLK-Max Hospital, using fake numbers to solicit private information and swindle money from unsuspecting and innocent individuals. Please note that Max Hospitals never solicit information such as bank details or payment authorisation on any link. We request you to be careful when sharing any sensitive information or clicking on unverified links.
2. BLK-Max Hospital never charges any money for job opportunities. Beware of any fraudulent individuals or agencies making such offers, and always verify information with official sources.
© Dr. B. L. Kapur Memorial Hospital, 2022. All rights reserved.
GST No: 07AAATL0242R2ZE