Phantom Limbs: A Neurobiological Explanation

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Phantom Limbs: A Neurobiological Explanation

Severely injuring a digit or limb can result in unrepentant damage and amputation. However, the painful sensations experienced in regard to that limb do not necessarily cease after amputation. The concept of feeling sensations in a limb that is no longer attached to the body is referred to as feeling a "phantom limb." This phenomenon is experienced by approximately 80%-100% of all patients who have lost a limb (1), and has therefore sparked wide interest in scientific community.

Phantom limb sensations are common for people with missing limbs or digits. In most cases, a phantom arm hangs straight down at the side when the person sits or stands (2). The subject feels as though the limb is there even though he or she is consciously aware that it is no longer attached to the rest of the body. For example, a story by S. Weir Mitchell was written in 1866 in which a civil war soldier undergoes amputation of both legs after a battle. Before the patient knows that his legs have been amputated, he asks the nurse to scratch them for him as he feels discomfort. The nurse and doctor are surprised and dumbfounded since they both are aware that the soldier no longer has these limbs and therefore should not being feeling any pain or discomfort stemming from them (2).

While the story of this soldier is fictitious, similar events occur constantly in patients who suffer the loss of a limb. There are phantom sensations that are not painful, including warmth, tingling, itching, movement, and uncomfortable positioning (1).. However, phantom pains are also common in which the subject feels stabbing, cramping, burning, and shooting pains in the phantom limb (1).

The biology behind phantom limbs ...

... middle of paper ...

... to uncover and understand. Perhaps after finding a definitive explanation for the sensations, subjects experiencing uncomfortable phantom pains will be able to seek some kind of therapy or treatment. The phenomenon is an excellent example of the interesting ways that neurons and the nervous system function, and it continues to question the concepts of knowing and consciousness.

References

This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated.

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