Many of us go through life without second-guessing the luxury of having ten fingers and ten toes, never fully understanding how easy it is for us to put our hair in a ponytail or play a game on our Xbox. 

But what happens when a condition or accident leaves you with the only alternative treatment: amputation? 

Undergoing the loss of a limb is challenging, to put it mildly. However, what do you do when you start to feel pain in a body part that no longer exists? 

Phantom limb pain may seem like an illusion, but your pain is real, and adjusting to the change in your body comes with its own set of hurdles. 

Keep reading as our pain management clinic works to help you understand what is happening within your body and how we can help you on your phantom limb pain treatment journey. 

What is Phantom Limb Pain? 

Phantom limb pain describes the pain you feel in the part of a limb that was removed after an amputation. While it might seem like the pain is all built up in your mind (after all, how can you feel pain in something that no longer exists?), your pain is very real and can range from mild to severe cases. 

Types of Phantom Pain 

Undergoing an amputation often involves a variety of feelings, both mentally and physically. Your body has undergone a major trauma which can result in different experiences for different people. 

Type of experiences or sensations you may feel after an amputation include: 

  • Phantom pain: This describes the feeling of pain or discomfort in a limb that is no longer a part of the body.
  • Phantom sensations: This describes the sensation where your missing limb still feels like a part of your body without the addition of pain. 
  • Phantom pain syndrome: This condition is a mixture of phantom sensations and pain, where you can feel touch, pressure, itch, temperature, vibrations, and pain in the area of your body that is now gone. 

Symptoms and Causes Behind Phantom Limb Pain 

According to the Amputee Coalition, “it is believed that nearly 80 percent of the amputee population worldwide has experienced this kind of pain” in reference to phantom limb pain. 

Phantom limb pain causes mild to severe painful sensations in the area of your body where the limb was amputated. Symptoms of phantom limb pain may include: 

  • Aching
  • Burning 
  • Itching
  • Numbness
  • Throbbing
  • Twisting
  • Temperature change (hot or cold)

Those experiencing painful sensations in their missing limb may also experience feelings that their missing limb is still attached, in an unusual or awkward position, moving, or shrinking.

What Causes Phantom Limb Pain? 

Amputees report they feel phantom pain during the first six months after their surgery, with the onset occurring soon after. While the painful sensations often lessen in frequency and duration during the first six months, the pain may continue for years afterward. 

Certain activities, conditions, or mental health disorders may trigger or worsen phantom limb pain symptoms, such as: 

  • Fatigue 
  • Stress
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Lifestyle habits, such as smoking 
  • The presence of an infection 
  • Poor blood flow 
  • Weather changes 
  • Pressure or swelling on the stump 

If you experience any of the above symptoms or find certain conditions or activities trigger your phantom limb pain, talk to a pain management physician near you for treatment options. 

Interventional Pain Management Treats for Phantom limb Syndrome 

The Amputee Coalition organization reports that “unlike pain that is caused by trauma directly to a limb, PLP is thought to be caused by mixed signals from your brain or spinal cord.” This concept can change the course of undergoing pain management near you and certain treatment techniques. 

At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we focus our treatment methods on interventional pain management practices – a treatment method that doesn’t involve habit-forming drugs or further invasive surgeries and procedures. 

After an initial consultation at our pain management clinic near you, we may recommend the following in phantom limb pain treatment: 

  • Spinal cord stimulation 
  • Neurostimulation
  • Massage therapy 
  • Mirror therapy 
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy 

Adjusting to a New Normal with Help From Pain Specialists of Charleston

Phantom limb pain is a common experience after an amputation. Still, it can leave you feeling confused or even embarrassed about experiencing pain in a part of your body that is no longer there. 

While you may believe that it’s all in your head or that you’ll “get through it,” we want you to know we are here to help. 

At Pain Specialists of Charleston, our trusted team of specialists will customize a treatment approach to your pain management, offering you the necessary tools for relief and an improved quality of life. 

We’re open five days a week and accepting new patients–no referral needed! Schedule an appointment with us today!