Lumbar Disc Herniation Causing Phantom Limb Pain in the Amputated Patient

Abstract

Phantom limb pain is a common pain in the amputated patiens but there is a decrease in frequency and intensity of phantom pain with time. Persistently increased or changed phantom pain may be caused by other pathologies rather than amputated limb. We presented a 70-year-old man who was seen for worsening phantom pain in his left leg. Our physical examination and radiological studies showed the presence of a left-central lumbar disc herniation at L2-3 intervertabral level. After microdiscectomy operation, his pain was relieved. We aimed to emphasize that lumbar disc pathologies may cause new onset pain in the patients with amputated limb and should importantly take a place in the differential diagnosis of phantom pain in amputated patients.