Editing Phantom limb (section)

{{Short description|Sensation that an amputated or missing limb is attached}}
{{Hatnote group|{{Redirect-distinguish|Phantom limb syndrome|Alien limb syndrome}}{{other uses}}}}{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name            = Phantom limb
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| speciality      = [[Neurology]]
| image           = Cat with phantom forelimb.webmhd.webm
| caption         = A cat attempting to use its left foreleg to scoop litter several months after it has been amputated
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A '''phantom limb''' is the sensation that an [[amputation|amputated]] or missing [[limb (anatomy)|limb]] is still attached. It is a chronic condition that is often resistant to treatment.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sembulingam |first=K. |title=Essentials of medical physiology |date=11 July 2023 |publisher=K. Sembulingam and prema Sembulingam |isbn=978-93-5696-326-9 |edition=9th |pages=717}}</ref> When the cut ends of sensory fibres are stimulated during thigh movements, the patient feels as if the sensation is arising from the non-existent limb. Sometimes, the patient might feel pain in the non-existent limb. Approximately 80–100% of individuals with an [[amputation]] experience sensations in their amputated limb. However, only a small percentage will experience painful phantom limb sensations ([[phantom pain]]). These sensations are relatively common in amputees and usually resolve within two to three years without treatment. Research continues to explore the underlying mechanisms of phantom limb pain (PLP) and effective treatment options.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Manchikanti|first1=Laxmaiah|title=chapter 28 - Phantom Pain Syndromes|date=2007-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780721603346500327|work=Pain Management|pages=304–315|editor-last=Waldman|editor-first=Steven D.|publisher=W.B. Saunders|doi=10.1016/b978-0-7216-0334-6.50032-7|isbn=978-0-7216-0334-6|access-date=2019-12-09|last2=Singh|first2=Vijay|last3=Boswell|first3=Mark V.|editor2-last=Bloch|editor2-first=Joseph I.|url-access=subscription}}</ref>