Fibromyalgia: a real phantom pain?
Karen Kortright-Maldonado1, Javier Deanda-Quintero1, Manuel Martínez-Lavin2
1Rheumatology Department, National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
Clinical Rheumatology
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain share characteristics of chronic pain without tissue damage. Understanding their shared mechanisms may improve the appraisal of non-nociceptive pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Medicine
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain involve chronic pain and paresthesia without apparent tissue damage.
- The origin of this pain, whether central sensitization or dorsal root ganglia, is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine current hypotheses on the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain.
- To propose that knowledge sharing between these conditions can enhance the understanding of chronic non-nociceptive pain.
Main Methods:
- This is a perspective article, examining existing hypotheses.
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on pain mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Both conditions present with chronic pain and paresthesia attributed to nervous system dysfunction.
- Central sensitization is a leading hypothesis for the origin of pain in both fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain.
Conclusions:
- Shared mechanisms may exist between fibromyalgia and phantom limb pain.
- Interdisciplinary knowledge sharing can improve the clinical appraisal and management of chronic non-nociceptive pain.
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