Yes, phantom limb syndrome is real. In fact, some studies have determined that it occurs in up to 90% of patients who have had a limb removed surgically. So not only is this a real syndrome that people have to contend with, but it is something that the majority of patients encounter after an amputation injury.
In many cases, phantom limb syndrome includes sensations of pain or discomfort. If someone is involved in a car accident and suffers a severe crush injury to their right arm, for example, doctors may have no choice but to surgically remove the limb. That person may still experience significant pain in their missing limb, despite the fact that it simply does not exist, and there appears to be nowhere for that pain to originate.
Nerve impulses and signals
The reason for phantom limb syndrome often revolves around the nerves sending electrical impulses and signals to the brain. The nerves have been damaged, so the signals can sometimes become confused.
Additionally, certain parts of the brain are responsible for coordinating specific movements. Even if the limb itself has been lost, that area of the brain still exists, and its neurons can still fire. When they do, the brain creates the same sensations that a person would feel if they still had their limb, even though it is missing. This may fade with time, as neuroplasticity allows the brain to adjust, but it is a very common phenomenon immediately after the injury.
If you have suffered catastrophic injuries due to someone else’s negligence, such as an amputation injury in a car accident that someone else caused, be sure you know exactly how to seek financial compensation.