Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain, International Journal of Pain Research, Science Publishing Group

Review Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain

Yue Kan

, Jiang Zongbin^*

, He Ruilin

, Xu Shengrong

, Zhou Zenghua, Feng Yi

, Xiao Hong

, Ma Ke

, Li Shuiqing

, Yang Liqiang, Wang Yong, Sun Tao

, Fan Xiaochong, Xue Zhaoxia

, Feng Pengjiu, Zhang Daying

, Fan Bifa^*

Published in International Journal of Pain Research (Volume 1, Issue 4)

Received: 9 October 2025 Accepted: 31 October 2025 Published: 11 December 2025

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Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP), defined as neuropathic pain perceived in the missing portion of an amputated limb, represents a common and refractory condition significantly impairing patient rehabilitation and quality of life. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between peripheral mechanisms (e.g., neuroma formation, ectopic discharges), central nervous system reorganization (including cortical remapping and spinal cord sensitization), and psychological components. Patients frequently present with heterogeneous pain descriptors, such as burning, shooting, or cramping sensations, which often coexist with residual limb pain, complicating clinical assessment. Despite the availability of diverse therapeutic interventions-ranging from pharmacotherapy (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, NMDA receptor antagonists) and physical modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, mirror therapy) to interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, neuromodulation) and psychological approaches-treatment outcomes remain variable, and standardized clinical guidelines are lacking. This consensus, formulated by a panel of Chinese pain specialists, systematically reviews contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PLP. It aims to establish practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide the standardized diagnosis and stratified treatment of PLP, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and improving functional outcomes for affected individuals.

Published in	International Journal of Pain Research (Volume 1, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
Page(s)	172-187
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Phantom Limb Pain, Diagnosis, Treatment, Expert Consensus

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Kan, Y., Zongbin, J., Ruilin, H., Shengrong, X., Zenghua, Z., et al. (2025). Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. International Journal of Pain Research, 1(4), 172-187. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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ACS Style

Kan, Y.; Zongbin, J.; Ruilin, H.; Shengrong, X.; Zenghua, Z., et al. Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. . 2025, 1(4), 172-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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AMA Style

Kan Y, Zongbin J, Ruilin H, Shengrong X, Zenghua Z, et al. Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. . 2025;1(4):172-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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@article{10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18,
  author = {Yue Kan and Jiang Zongbin and He Ruilin and Xu Shengrong and Zhou Zenghua and Feng Yi and Xiao Hong and Ma Ke and Li Shuiqing and Yang Liqiang and Wang Yong and Sun Tao and Fan Xiaochong and Xue Zhaoxia and Feng Pengjiu and Zhang Daying and Fan Bifa},
  title = {Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain},
  journal = {International Journal of Pain Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {172-187},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  abstract = {Phantom limb pain (PLP), defined as neuropathic pain perceived in the missing portion of an amputated limb, represents a common and refractory condition significantly impairing patient rehabilitation and quality of life. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between peripheral mechanisms (e.g., neuroma formation, ectopic discharges), central nervous system reorganization (including cortical remapping and spinal cord sensitization), and psychological components. Patients frequently present with heterogeneous pain descriptors, such as burning, shooting, or cramping sensations, which often coexist with residual limb pain, complicating clinical assessment. Despite the availability of diverse therapeutic interventions-ranging from pharmacotherapy (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, NMDA receptor antagonists) and physical modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, mirror therapy) to interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, neuromodulation) and psychological approaches-treatment outcomes remain variable, and standardized clinical guidelines are lacking. This consensus, formulated by a panel of Chinese pain specialists, systematically reviews contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PLP. It aims to establish practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide the standardized diagnosis and stratified treatment of PLP, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and improving functional outcomes for affected individuals.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain
AU  - Yue Kan
AU  - Jiang Zongbin
AU  - He Ruilin
AU  - Xu Shengrong
AU  - Zhou Zenghua
AU  - Feng Yi
AU  - Xiao Hong
AU  - Ma Ke
AU  - Li Shuiqing
AU  - Yang Liqiang
AU  - Wang Yong
AU  - Sun Tao
AU  - Fan Xiaochong
AU  - Xue Zhaoxia
AU  - Feng Pengjiu
AU  - Zhang Daying
AU  - Fan Bifa
Y1  - 2025/12/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
T2  - International Journal of Pain Research
JF  - International Journal of Pain Research
JO  - International Journal of Pain Research
SP  - 172
EP  - 187
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
AB  - Phantom limb pain (PLP), defined as neuropathic pain perceived in the missing portion of an amputated limb, represents a common and refractory condition significantly impairing patient rehabilitation and quality of life. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between peripheral mechanisms (e.g., neuroma formation, ectopic discharges), central nervous system reorganization (including cortical remapping and spinal cord sensitization), and psychological components. Patients frequently present with heterogeneous pain descriptors, such as burning, shooting, or cramping sensations, which often coexist with residual limb pain, complicating clinical assessment. Despite the availability of diverse therapeutic interventions-ranging from pharmacotherapy (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, NMDA receptor antagonists) and physical modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, mirror therapy) to interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, neuromodulation) and psychological approaches-treatment outcomes remain variable, and standardized clinical guidelines are lacking. This consensus, formulated by a panel of Chinese pain specialists, systematically reviews contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PLP. It aims to establish practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide the standardized diagnosis and stratified treatment of PLP, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and improving functional outcomes for affected individuals.
VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Yue Kan

Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6957-2136
Jiang Zongbin

Department of Painology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-2926-630X
He Ruilin

Department of Painology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3307-9144
Xu Shengrong

Department of Painology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-0280-7572
Zhou Zenghua

Department of Painology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
Feng Yi

Department of Painology, People Hospital of Peking University, Beijing, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3952-1351
Xiao Hong

Department of Pain Management, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9828-5814
Ma Ke

Department of Painology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5603-9321
Li Shuiqing

Department of Painology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2208-2276
Yang Liqiang

Department of Painology, Xuanwu Hospital Affilicated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Wang Yong

Department of Pain Management, Aviation General Hospital of Chinese Medical University, Beijing, China
Sun Tao

Department of Painology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affilicated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0880-6394
Fan Xiaochong

Department of Painology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Xue Zhaoxia

Department of Painology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-7556-5953
Feng Pengjiu

Department of Painology, Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Liuzhou, China
Zhang Daying

Department of Painology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-8563-1577
Fan Bifa

Department of Painology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-3722-3213

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APA Style

Kan, Y., Zongbin, J., Ruilin, H., Shengrong, X., Zenghua, Z., et al. (2025). Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. International Journal of Pain Research, 1(4), 172-187. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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ACS Style

Kan, Y.; Zongbin, J.; Ruilin, H.; Shengrong, X.; Zenghua, Z., et al. Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. . 2025, 1(4), 172-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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AMA Style

Kan Y, Zongbin J, Ruilin H, Shengrong X, Zenghua Z, et al. Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain. . 2025;1(4):172-187. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18

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@article{10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18,
  author = {Yue Kan and Jiang Zongbin and He Ruilin and Xu Shengrong and Zhou Zenghua and Feng Yi and Xiao Hong and Ma Ke and Li Shuiqing and Yang Liqiang and Wang Yong and Sun Tao and Fan Xiaochong and Xue Zhaoxia and Feng Pengjiu and Zhang Daying and Fan Bifa},
  title = {Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain},
  journal = {International Journal of Pain Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {172-187},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpr.20250104.18},
  abstract = {Phantom limb pain (PLP), defined as neuropathic pain perceived in the missing portion of an amputated limb, represents a common and refractory condition significantly impairing patient rehabilitation and quality of life. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between peripheral mechanisms (e.g., neuroma formation, ectopic discharges), central nervous system reorganization (including cortical remapping and spinal cord sensitization), and psychological components. Patients frequently present with heterogeneous pain descriptors, such as burning, shooting, or cramping sensations, which often coexist with residual limb pain, complicating clinical assessment. Despite the availability of diverse therapeutic interventions-ranging from pharmacotherapy (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, NMDA receptor antagonists) and physical modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, mirror therapy) to interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, neuromodulation) and psychological approaches-treatment outcomes remain variable, and standardized clinical guidelines are lacking. This consensus, formulated by a panel of Chinese pain specialists, systematically reviews contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PLP. It aims to establish practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide the standardized diagnosis and stratified treatment of PLP, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and improving functional outcomes for affected individuals.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Consensus of Chinese Painologist Experts on Diagnosis and Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain
AU  - Yue Kan
AU  - Jiang Zongbin
AU  - He Ruilin
AU  - Xu Shengrong
AU  - Zhou Zenghua
AU  - Feng Yi
AU  - Xiao Hong
AU  - Ma Ke
AU  - Li Shuiqing
AU  - Yang Liqiang
AU  - Wang Yong
AU  - Sun Tao
AU  - Fan Xiaochong
AU  - Xue Zhaoxia
AU  - Feng Pengjiu
AU  - Zhang Daying
AU  - Fan Bifa
Y1  - 2025/12/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
T2  - International Journal of Pain Research
JF  - International Journal of Pain Research
JO  - International Journal of Pain Research
SP  - 172
EP  - 187
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.18
AB  - Phantom limb pain (PLP), defined as neuropathic pain perceived in the missing portion of an amputated limb, represents a common and refractory condition significantly impairing patient rehabilitation and quality of life. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving complex interactions between peripheral mechanisms (e.g., neuroma formation, ectopic discharges), central nervous system reorganization (including cortical remapping and spinal cord sensitization), and psychological components. Patients frequently present with heterogeneous pain descriptors, such as burning, shooting, or cramping sensations, which often coexist with residual limb pain, complicating clinical assessment. Despite the availability of diverse therapeutic interventions-ranging from pharmacotherapy (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, NMDA receptor antagonists) and physical modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, mirror therapy) to interventional procedures (e.g., nerve blocks, neuromodulation) and psychological approaches-treatment outcomes remain variable, and standardized clinical guidelines are lacking. This consensus, formulated by a panel of Chinese pain specialists, systematically reviews contemporary evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of PLP. It aims to establish practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide the standardized diagnosis and stratified treatment of PLP, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and improving functional outcomes for affected individuals.
VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download