Modern concepts of phantom pain and its treatment methods

The number of limb amputations is increasing every year in the world. The reason for this may be a limb injury, infection, acute ischemia, a complication of diabetes mellitus, or a malignant tumor. On average, in more than half of cases, patients develop phantom sensations, which can be painless and painful. The feeling of touch, itching, and pressure can be painless. Painful sensations are electric shock, burning, stabbing or throbbing pain. Some patients describe phantom pain as an «electric shock», others as a «burning sensation», and others as «insects crawling inside». Phantom pain was described in the 16th century by Ambroise Pare and since then this term has been constantly present in the medical literature. Unfortunately, for such a long time, the exact pathogenesis of the disease has not been established and methods for the prevention and treatment of phantom pain have not been developed. This review describes the current view of the mechanism of phantom pain syndrome, and also examines the main therapy used in the treatment of phantom pain at the present stage, both before and after amputation.