Phantom limb pain

What to Expect:

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:

• Tingly
• Prickly
• Numb
• Hot or cold
• Like your missing toes or fingers are moving
• Like your missing limb is still there, or is in a funny position
• Like your missing limb is getting shorter. This is called telescoping.

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:

• Sharp or shooting pain
• Achy pain
• Burning pain
• Cramping pain

Phantom limb pain will lessen over time for most people.

Some things may make phantom pain worse:

• Being too tired
• Putting too much pressure on the part of the arm or leg that is still there
• Changes in the weather
• Stress
• Infection
• An artificial limb that does not fit properly
• Poor blood flow
• Swelling in the part of the arm or leg that is still there

Self-care: