Phantom Limb Neuroplasticity and Maladaptive Sensory Perceptions: Why Phantom Limb Paresthesia Should Be Integrated into Referred Pain Discussions.

Abstract

The concept of referred pain is an integral part of the anatomy didactic content taught and discussed in all medical school curricula.  However, this discussion has excluded the topic of phantom limb pain, despite the existence of parallels in neurophysiological explanations between these conditions. This brief viewpoint attempts to reason why phantom limb paresthesia or pain should be included in the fold of refereed pain discussions.