2025 ICD-10-CM code G54.6
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the nervous system - Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders 6 Feed
Phantom limb syndrome with pain. This condition involves painful sensations perceived in an amputated limb.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of phantom limb pain that impacts the patient's quality of life and function.
Diagnosis is based on patient history, symptoms, physical and neurological examination. Treatment can include medication (NSAIDs, steroids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants), therapies (exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, mirror box therapy, TENS, virtual reality therapy), and in rare cases, surgery (brain stimulation, revision surgery).
In simple words: Phantom limb pain is when you feel pain in a limb that's no longer there after an amputation.It's a real pain, even though the limb is gone.It happens because your brain is still adjusting to the change.
Phantom limb syndrome with pain is a condition where individuals experience painful sensations in a limb that has been amputated. The pain can vary in intensity and duration, and can feel like burning, shooting, crushing, itching, or other unpleasant sensations.It is thought to be caused by mixed signals from the brain or spinal cord as they adjust to the limb loss.While the limb is gone, the pain is a real experience for the patient.
Example 1: A patient who underwent a below-the-knee amputation due to complications from diabetes experiences burning pain in their missing foot., A patient who had their hand amputated following a traumatic injury experiences a crushing sensation in their missing fingers., A patient who had a leg amputated due to cancer reports itching and temperature changes in their phantom limb.
Documentation should include the type of pain, location of the pain in the phantom limb, and whether the pain is intermittent or continuous. Details regarding the amputation, such as date and reason, should also be documented.
- Specialties:Pain Management, Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office, Home