What is the term for pain that is felt in an area of the body that has been amputated?

Phantom pain refers to the sensation of pain that is experienced in a limb or body part that has been amputated. This phenomenon occurs because the brain continues to receive signals from the nerves that originally supplied the missing limb, leading to the perception of pain in that area despite its physical absence.

The underlying mechanisms of phantom pain can involve both neural and psychological factors. Following an amputation, nerve endings in the residual limb and brain may still be activated, creating sensations that feel very real to the individual. This type of pain can vary in intensity and may feel like shooting, stabbing, or burning sensations.

Other types of pain mentioned, such as acute pain, chronic pain, and neuropathic pain, do not specifically describe the unique experience of pain related to an amputated body part. Acute pain is typically a short-term response to injury, chronic pain persists over a longer period often without a clear cause, and neuropathic pain arises from damage to the nervous system itself, which is distinct from the feelings associated with phantom pain.