Atypical Supernumerary Phantom Limb and Phantom Limb Pain in a Patient With Spinal Cord Injury: Case Report

This case report describes a rare instance of a patient experiencing supernumerary phantom limbs (SPL), feeling extra legs, after a complete spinal cord injury. The patient also experienced phantom limb pain associated with the SPL. The intensity of both the SPL and pain decreased with visual-tactile stimulation treatment. The patient visually identified and tapped his paralyzed limbs with a wooden stick. After 2 months of treatment, the SPL sensation was reduced to 20% of the real paralyzed legs.

• 1
  A patient with complete spinal cord injury experienced supernumerary phantom limbs (SPL) and associated phantom limb pain, a rare occurrence.
• 2
  Visual-tactile stimulation treatment, involving visual identification and tactile stimulation of the paralyzed limbs, reduced the intensity of the SPL and associated pain.
• 3
  The telescoping phenomenon, commonly seen in amputees, was observed in this SCI patient with SPL, suggesting overlapping neurophysiological mechanisms.