Phantom pain following limb amputation in a paraplegic. A case report. 1983

R F Catchlove

The pain of the phantom limb remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A case is reported in which a paraplegic patient with full sensory ablation below T11 experienced phantom limb pain only after actual amputation of one of his legs. This suggests that the cause in this case could only be central in origin. Visual appreciation seems to be an important step in this process.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010264 Paraplegia Severe or complete loss of motor function in the lower extremities and lower portions of the trunk. This condition is most often associated with SPINAL CORD DISEASES, although BRAIN DISEASES; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES; and MUSCULAR DISEASES may also cause bilateral leg weakness. Paralysis, Lower Extremities,Paraplegia, Spastic,Spastic Paraplegia,Paralysis, Legs,Paralysis, Lower Limbs,Paraplegia, Ataxic,Paraplegia, Cerebral,Paraplegia, Flaccid,Paraplegia, Spinal,Ataxic Paraplegia,Ataxic Paraplegias,Cerebral Paraplegia,Cerebral Paraplegias,Flaccid Paraplegia,Flaccid Paraplegias,Paraplegias,Paraplegias, Ataxic,Paraplegias, Cerebral,Paraplegias, Flaccid,Paraplegias, Spastic,Paraplegias, Spinal,Spastic Paraplegias,Spinal Paraplegia,Spinal Paraplegias
D010591 Phantom Limb Perception of painful and nonpainful phantom sensations that occur following the complete or partial loss of a limb. The majority of individuals with an amputated extremity will experience the impression that the limb is still present, and in many cases, painful. (From Neurol Clin 1998 Nov;16(4):919-36; Brain 1998 Sep;121(Pt 9):1603-30) Pseudomelia,Phantom Limb Pain,Phantom Pain,Phantom Sensation,Limb Pain, Phantom,Limb Pains, Phantom,Limb, Phantom,Limbs, Phantom,Pain, Phantom,Pain, Phantom Limb,Pains, Phantom,Pains, Phantom Limb,Phantom Limb Pains,Phantom Limbs,Phantom Pains,Phantom Sensations,Pseudomelias,Sensation, Phantom,Sensations, Phantom
D005264 Femoral Fractures Fractures of the femur. Femoral Fracture,Fracture, Femoral,Fractures, Femoral
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000671 Amputation, Surgical The surgical removal of part of, or all of, a limb or other appendage or outgrowth of the body. Amputation,Amputation, Multiple, Surgical,Multiple Amputation, Surgical,Surgical Amputation Procedures,Amputation Procedure, Surgical,Amputation Procedures, Surgical,Amputation, Surgical Multiple,Amputations,Amputations, Surgical,Amputations, Surgical Multiple,Multiple Amputations, Surgical,Procedure, Surgical Amputation,Procedures, Surgical Amputation,Surgical Amputation,Surgical Amputation Procedure,Surgical Amputations,Surgical Multiple Amputation,Surgical Multiple Amputations
D013117 Spinal Cord Compression Acute and chronic conditions characterized by external mechanical compression of the SPINAL CORD due to extramedullary neoplasm; EPIDURAL ABSCESS; SPINAL FRACTURES; bony deformities of the vertebral bodies; and other conditions. Clinical manifestations vary with the anatomic site of the lesion and may include localized pain, weakness, sensory loss, incontinence, and impotence. Conus Medullaris Syndrome,Myelopathy, Compressive,Extramedullary Spinal Cord Compression,Spinal Cord Compression, Extramedullary,Compression, Spinal Cord,Compressions, Spinal Cord,Compressive Myelopathy,Conus Medullaris Syndromes,Spinal Cord Compressions,Syndrome, Conus Medullaris,Syndromes, Conus Medullaris
D013904 Thoracic Vertebrae A group of twelve VERTEBRAE connected to the ribs that support the upper trunk region. Vertebrae, Thoracic

Related Publications

R F Catchlove
July 1998, Paediatric nursing,
R F Catchlove
January 2008, British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing),
R F Catchlove
January 2023, Frontiers in human neuroscience,
R F Catchlove
May 1968, Diseases of the nervous system,
R F Catchlove
January 1950, Nevropatologiia i psikhiatriia,
R F Catchlove
January 2009, Disability and rehabilitation,
Copied contents to your clipboard!