EXTENDED AND TELESCOPED PHANTOM LIMBS IN UNILATERAL AMPUTEES.

The incidence of extended (same length) and telescoped phantom limbs was studied by interview in 239 adult unilateral amputees, above and below elbow and knee (AE, BE, AK, BK). Differences were analyzed by nonparametric statistics. Conclusions were as follows: (a) AEs reported the greatest, and BKs the smallest proportions of shortened phantoms; (b) BE and AK groups were approximately similar; (c) telescoped phantoms of proximal amputations were mainly partly telescoped—of distal amputations, fully telescoped; (d) phantom presence, persistence, strength, shortness, and tactile pressure sensitivity were positively related, paralleling the cephalocaudad principle; (e) limb image (established by cortical and learning factors); and (f) intensity of stump cues (dependent on the cephalocaudad gradient, etiology, and sensitization by amputation), affect perception of phantom length and related sensations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]