When someone suffers from an amputation injury, it can be a life-changing injury. Someone may never be able to work again. They may need medical care for the rest of their life. They may need in-home assistance or help with daily tasks. Even after they heal as much as possible, an amputation injury is going to change things moving forward.
One issue that people sometimes face is known as phantom limb pain. This essentially means that they still feel pain in the limb that they lost, even though it is no longer there. They may even feel like they have a phantom limb that is still connected to their body, which is perhaps causing them pain, situated at a strange angle or something of this nature. People often report symptoms like tingling, burning, numbness and other pain-related issues in the lost limb.
Why does this happen?
The pain that the person feels is real, as that is how their brain interprets the electrical impulses. But it is also clear that there is not anything actually causing the pain, because the limb does not exist any longer.
The exact reason why this happens is sometimes debated, but it is generally thought to be a nerve issue. It happens to roughly 50% of people who suffer an amputation injury. It takes time for the brain to learn how to interpret nerve impulses, and some of the impulses being sent from the damaged nerves may suggest to the brain that the limb is still connected and in pain – when that is not actually the case.
Often, these symptoms will fade with time, though not always. If you are suffering from phantom limb pain and other such issues, be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.