Phantom limb pain usually occurs soon after a limb has been lost. It can take on average three to six months for a wound to heal after an amputation operation. Rarely ever does the pain come months or years after a limb amputation.   Medical experts believe phantom pain is a result of a mix-up within the nervous system, which is the specific signals between the spinal cord and brain. When a body part becomes amputated, the nerve connections from the periphery within the brain remain in place. The brain can then misinterpret the information it is receiving or process the signals it’s receiving as a sensation of pain, even if the amputation portion has been removed.   There may still be pain that affects the remaining limb, which is known as the stump due to:   • Bruising • Bone spur • Bone infection • Nerve damage • Inflammation • Poor blood flow • Ill-fitted prosthetic device • Pressure injuries • Skin infections • Wound infections   The noticeable symptoms can last for the first six months after an amputation, and the pain intensity and frequency of pain will begin to decrease over time, but many will continue to notice phantom pain occurring even up to two years after an amputation.   Phantom limb pain can feel like:   • Burning • Aching • Clamping • Pinching • Itching • Tingling • Shooting • Stabbing • Throbbing • Twisting