Is phantom limb pain serious?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

While phantom limb pain can be severe, it is not life-threatening. Most people who experience phantom limb pain directly after amputation surgery find that their pain goes away, often gradually, and it may take a year or more. When people experience long-term pain, it can be troublesome and interfere with quality of life, but with diligent treatment and support from friends and medical professionals, the pain can be manageable.

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What's your body trying to tell you?

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Pain

Pain is your body telling you that you have hurt it. This is a good thing, important when you are injured. It can also help diagnose problems with your body. Sometimes pain continues long after it's necessary. Amputees report phantom pain in the legs or arms they no longer have. There are different kinds of pain, and describing the type is useful in diagnosis: recurring, constant, steady, knife-like, radiating, sharp, dull. Medicines that dull pain are analgesics. Those that kill all feeling are anesthetics.

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