If a patient experiences pain in the area of a missing limb, what is this condition called?

Phantom pain refers specifically to the sensation of pain that an individual experiences in a limb or body part that is no longer present. This phenomenon occurs after the amputation of a limb, where the person may perceive pain, tingling, or other sensations as if the limb were still there. The mechanisms behind phantom pain are not entirely understood but are thought to involve changes in the brain and nervous system following the loss of the limb.

In contrast, neuropathic pain typically arises from nerve damage or dysfunction and can occur with or without the presence of a limb. Residual pain refers to any ongoing pain in the stump or remaining part of the limb after an amputation, which differs from the sensations described in phantom pain. Referred pain is when pain is felt in a location different from its source; for example, someone might feel pain in their shoulder stemming from an issue in their heart. Understanding these nuances highlights why the identification of pain in a missing limb as phantom pain is clinically significant.