What is phantom sensation and phantom pain and how do they differ from residual limb pain?
Amputees may experience different types of strange limb sensations after the amputation, some painful and others not painful. The two painful conditions are referred to as phantom limb pain and residual limb pain. The sensation that is not particularly painful, but is disturbing, is known as phantom sensation. Phantom sensation or phenomena is experienced by most if not all amputees with a much lower incidence in people with congenital limb deficiency. With this phenomenon, the amputee still feels sensations coming from the limb even though it was amputated. These strange sensations include numbness, tingling, temperature changes or pressure in the missing limb. Others may feel as though part of the limb that is no longer present itches or has a muscle cramp. Individuals may even feel that the limb moves whether it is volitional or uncontrollable. Unfortunately, it is unclear what causes phantom limb sensation. It is felt to be attributable to some type of continued representation of t
