Signs and symptoms
Phantom pain involves the sensation of pain in a part of the body that has been removed. The onset of phantom pain can occur within the first few days of amputation. The sensation may come and go, but can be continuous. While the sensation often affects the part of the limb farthest from the body, such as the foot of an amputated leg, other body parts closer to the brain, such as the arm or hand, can still experience similar sensations. Sensations can be described as shooting, stabbing, boring, squeezing, throbbing or burning. Sensations on smaller limbs and digits such as toes or fingers tend to be less severe. Sometimes the sensation feels as if the phantom part is forced into an uncomfortable position. Overall, the sensations may be triggered by pressure on the remaining part of the limb or emotional stress. Types
There are various types of sensations that may be felt:

Sensations related to the phantom limbs posture, length and volume e.g. feeling that the phantom limb is behaving just like a normal limb like sitting with the knee bent or feeling that the phantom limb is as heavy as the other limb. Sometimes, an amputee will experience a sensation called telescoping, the feeling that the phantom limb is gradually shortening over time. Sensations of movement (e.g. feeling that the phantom foot is moving). Sensations of touch, temperature, pressure and itchiness. Many amputees report of feeling heat, tingling, itchiness, and pain.
The persistence of the neurosignature, even after limb amputation, may be the cause of phantom sensations and pain. Phantom pain may arise from abnormal reorganization in the neuromatrix to a pre-existing pain state.Opposition to the neuromatrix theory exists largely because it fails to explain why relief from phantom sensations rarely eliminates phantom pains. It also does not address how sensations can spontaneously end and how some amputees do not experience phantom sensations at all. In addition, a major limitation of the neuromatrix theory is that it too broadly accounts for various aspects of phantom limb perception. It is also likely that it is too difficult to be tested empirically, especially when testing painless phantom sensations. Management
Various methods have been used to treat phantom limb pain. Doctors may prescribe medications to reduce the pain. Some antidepressants or antiepileptics have been shown to have a beneficial effect on reducing phantom limb pain. Often physical methods such as light massage, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy have been used with variable results. There are many different treatment options for phantom limb pain that are actively being researched. Most treatments do not take into account the mechanisms underlying phantom pains, and are therefore ineffective. However, there are a few treatment options that have been shown to alleviate pain in some patients, but these treatment options usually have a success rate less than 30%. It is important to note that this rate of success does not exceed the placebo effect.