After one of your limbs is amputated, you may feel as if the limb is still there. This is called phantom sensation. It may feel:
These sensations slowly get weaker and weaker. You should also feel them less often. They may not ever go away completely.
Pain in the missing part of the arm or leg is called phantom pain. It may feel like:
Phantom limb pain will lessen over time for most people.
Some things may make phantom pain worse:
Try to relax in a way that works for you. Do deep breathing, or pretend to relax the missing arm or leg.
Reading, listening to music, or doing something that takes your mind off the pain may help. You may also try taking a warm bath -- if your surgery wound is completely healed.
Ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), or other drugs that can help with pain.
These things may also help lessen phantom pain:
Bang MS, Jung SH. Phantom limb pain. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Hanley & Belfus; 2002:chap 104.
Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Topics
Read More
Patient Instructions
Notice: The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.