title: Phantom limb pain.
abstract: Phantom pain is experienced by 60% to 80% of patients following limb amputation but is only severe in about 5% to 10% of cases. The mechanisms underlying pain in amputees are not fully understood, but factors in both the peripheral and central nervous system play a role. Treatment of phantom pain is not successful; a recent study on prevention of phantom pain showed negative results. The future may reveal new specific drugs for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Danish Pain Research Center, University of Aarhus, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Building 1 C, Nørrebrogade 44, Aarhus C, DK 8000, Denmark. nikolajsen@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nikolajsen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Staehelin Jensen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*