Phantom pain is a painful perception that an individual experiences relating to a limb or an organ that is not physically part of the body, either because it was removed or was never there in the first place.

Sensations are reported most frequently following the amputation of a limb, but may also occur following the removal of a breast, tongue, or internal organ. Phantom eye syndrome can occur after eye loss. The pain sensation and its duration and frequency varies from individual to individual.

Phantom pain should be distinguished from other conditions that may present similarly, such as phantom limb sensation and residual limb pain.

Phantom limb sensation is any sensory phenomenon, except pain, which is felt at an absent limb or a portion of the limb. It is estimated that up to 80% of amputees experience phantom limb sensations at some time of their lives. Some experience some level of this phantom feeling in the missing limb for the rest of their lives.

Residual limb pain, also referred to as stump pain, is a painful perception that originates from the residual limb, or stump, itself. It is typically a manifestation of an underlying source, such as surgical trauma, neuroma formation, infection, or an improperly fitted prosthetic device. Although these are different clinical conditions, individuals with phantom pain are more likely to concomitantly experience residual limb pain as well.

The symptomatic course of phantom pain is widely variable, but the onset often presents within the first week after amputation. The reported pain may be intermittent and lasting seconds to minutes, but can be continuous with acute exacerbations. The duration of symptoms varies among individuals, with some reporting decreased pain over time and others reporting a more stable or even increasing trajectory. Sensations may be described as shooting, stabbing, squeezing, throbbing, tingling, or burning, and sometimes feels as if the phantom part is being forced into an uncomfortable position.

While the sensation often affects the part of the limb farthest from the body, such as the fingers or toes, other body parts closer to the brain, such as the arm or leg, can still experience similar sensations. It is thought that phantom pain more commonly involves the part of the limb farthest from the body because of its larger cortical representation within the somatosensory cortex.

Overall, the sensations may be triggered by pressure on the remaining part of the limb, emotional stress, or changes in temperature.