[Phantom limb pain: aspects of neuroplasticity and intervention]

Phantom-limb pain is a common sequel of amputation, occurring in up to 80 % of the amputee population. It must be differentiated from non-painful phantom phenomena, residual-limb pain, and non-painful residual-limb phenomena. A comprehensive model of phantom-limb pain is presented that assigns a major role to pain occurring before the amputation and to central as well as peripheral changes related to it. Special emphasis is put on the role of cortical reorganization in the development of phantom limb pain. Finally, new approaches to the prevention and treatment of phantom limb pain are presented that have a positive influence on phantom limb pain by preventing or reversing cortical reorganization.