Pain that occurs in the part of the body from where a limb has been severed off is known as phantom limb pain. With passage of time, the sensation decreases in intensity or disappears altogether. It is brought on by the nerve endings at the site of amputation. Despite the amputation of the limb, the brain continues to receive pain signals from the nerves in this area. As a consequence, the brain begins to think that the severed leg or arm still exists. Other symptoms include cramping, heat and cold in the phantom limb and tingling.
HOW IS PHANTOM LIMB PAIN DIAGNOSED?
A Frenchman called Ambroise Paré was the first to provide a medical description of this sensation experienced post‐amputation.