What causes phantom limb pain after amputation?

See below: No one is really sure although the evidence suggests that if the limb was painful prior to the amputation, there is a higher liklihood of phantom pain after the amputation.

Unknown: The reason is not completely know.

Many factors: The exact cause of phantom limb pain is not completely clear. Cutting the nerves that went to the limb and later attempts by the body to heal the nerve play a role. It is also known that the area of the brain that controlled movement of the limb prior to the amputation may interpret sensation from the stump as coming from the amputated portion of the limb and that this might be painful.

Unknown: You are asking what causes phantom limb sensation. There are limits in medicine. We know patients describe phantom pain and sensation after amputation. Research continues to show new insights but your doctor will be able to refer you to a neurologist.