Why does phantom limb pain sometimes intensify when an amputee uses a prosthetic arm to grasp an object?

💡 Explanation

Phantom limb pain intensification during prosthetic use can occur because sensorimotor conflict amplifies maladaptive plasticity. The brain expects sensory feedback that doesn't match motor commands, therefore this mismatch exacerbates pain pathways, rather than reversing cortical reorganization, cytokine sensitization, or nerve regeneration.

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