Coping with amputation and phantom limb pain

Abstract Phantom limb pain is a common, distressing phenomenon that can occur after the amputation or denervation of a part of the body. No conclusive etiological models or theories have emerged, although the problem was identified some time ago. This empirical–diagnostic study deals with correlations between coping with limb loss, body image, and the occurrence of phantom limb pain. It is based on Melzack’s concept of a neuromatrix. Coping strategies were evaluated using semistructured interviews and analysis of patients’ drawings of their body images. The results of the study, based on 43 amputees, show a significant association between coping strategies and pain. Patients who cope better with the loss suffer less from phantom limb pain. A difference can also be noted in subjective representation of the body image: patients suffering from phantom limb pain tend to have an image of their bodies as a complete and undamaged entity.