Direct evidence of a link between burning phantom limb pain and stump blood circulation: a case report.

A soldier began experiencing burning phantom limb pain after his left index finger was amputated following an accident. Videothermograms of both hands demonstrated that the stump and associated palmar region were 3°C to 5°C cooler when he was experiencing burning phantom pain than when no pain was present. The intensity of reported pain correlated well with changes in stump temperature, and could be controlled to some extent through learned self-regulation of hand blood flow. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.