Phantom limb is the sensation of still being able to feel the amputated limb. Most amputees experience this sensation, although the intensity can vary from person to person.
In many patients pain is also experienced in the amputated limb. This is phantom limb pain and can occur in many patients, but is usually fairly mild and self limiting, although it may be a nuisance. In a few patients phantom limb pain can be a serious problem and difficult to treat. Pain can be treated with standard pain killing medications such as morphine and similar drugs. Other drugs include amitryptiline and gabapentin. Recently salmon calcitonin has been used for the treatment of phantom limb pain but the evidence of efficacy is limited.