The phantom limb

Abstract

A body-image disturbance observed in most patients who undergo amputation of a limb is the perception of having the missing limb. The phenomenon is known as ‘phantom limb’. Despite a vast clinical literature on painless and painful phantom limb sensations, little is known about their origin. In fact, the precise mechanism responsible for the generation of these phantom feelings has not yet been determined. However, there have been a number of attempts to explain, within a theoretical framework, the origin of phantom limb sensations and related phenomena. This paper reviews some of the most tenable explanations, along with the work completed on this issue to date. With regard to painful phantom limb sensations and their management, a number of treatment techniques, employed by neuroscientists with varying degrees of success, are presented here.

Keywords:

• CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS STRUCTURES
• CORTICAL REPRESENTATION
• NEURAL NETWORK
• PHANTOM LIMB SENSATIONS
• TRAUMATIC AMPUTATION
• TREATMENT TECHNIQUES