Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a form of neuropathic pain that occurs after amputation of a limb or part of a limb, when a person continues to feel pain that seems to come from the missing body part. It is a well-recognised condition, caused by changes in the nervous system and brain that occur after amputation — the brain continues to receive and interpret signals as if the limb were still present.
Phantom limb pain can appear soon after surgery or develop months later, and its intensity and frequency vary greatly between individuals. It is distinct from stump pain, which originates in the remaining part of the limb, though the two can overlap.
Typical symptoms include:
Phantom limb pain reflects the brain’s attempt to adapt to the loss of sensory input from the missing limb. Specialist care focuses on calming the nervous system and retraining the brain’s pain response.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a comprehensive assessment. We explore your surgical history, the timing and pattern of symptoms, and whether pain arises mainly from the phantom limb, the stump, or both.
We also assess for:
Investigations may include:
Understanding whether the pain is local (from the stump) or central (from the nervous system) allows us to tailor a precise treatment plan.
Our physiotherapists and rehabilitation partners play a crucial role in recovery. They use:
Our pain psychology team provides support for managing anxiety, trauma, and adjustment after amputation, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to improve coping and resilience.
Hydrotherapy and gentle movement exercises can further help reduce muscle tension and improve circulation.
This multidisciplinary model ensures that every aspect of phantom limb pain — physical, neurological, and emotional — is addressed in a coordinated way. At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
We may prescribe:
Our consultants are experts in image-guided pain management techniques that target nerve pain precisely, including:
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
