What is phantom limb?

See below: Phantom limb occurs when someone has an amputation of part of the limb and the person has persistent sensation like the amputated part is still there. This can also happen in people who have spinal cord injury and can no longer feel their extremities. With time, the phantom sensation begins to fade in most people. A small percentage have phantom pain which is much more difficult to treat.

Amputation: Following amputation, in some cases, the brain may act as if the loss never occurred, and painful sensations may be felt even though the limb is gone.