The Proprioceptive Memory Theory suggests that the pain felt before the amputation creates pain memories within the brain that directly influence the discomfort felt after the amputation by continuing to send pain signals to the brain even when the limb no longer exists (Virani 46). Again, this theory follows the generalization made at the beginning of this essay, furthering the idea that when a hardship is encountered, the brain tries to continue as before the occurrence. Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, a neuroscientist well known for his contributions in the field of behavioral neurology as well as visual psychophysics, explains in “The Perception of Phantom Limbs” that “there are hints that the incidence may be higher following…a pre-existing
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Phantom sensations arise immediately after coming to consciousness in 75% of cases and have a belated appearance in the remaining 25% (Ramachandran 1605). Why is it that some people experience the pain as soon as the anesthesia wears off while some do not have this experience until weeks, even months after the procedure? Questions about both the onset of this syndrome are answered in “The Perception of Phantom Limb.” Within this article, Ramachandran explicitly states that the type of amputation does not have any influence on the onset of this syndrome (1605). This fact can be surprising to many people because it seems likely that someone who lost a limb traumatically, in an automobile accident for example, would go into shock and their memories could be altered. They would likely only remember the moments before the crash, when they still had their limb, and then would wake up in a hospital missing an entire portion of their body. It is logical to believe that this would cause the patient to go into shock and their brain would scramble to make every false connection and attribute all sensory input to make it seem as though the limb is still there. Traumatic amputations, although they influence the chance of developing Phantom Limb Syndrome at some point after surgery, do not influence whether the onset is immediately after the operation or three weeks
Phantom sensations arise immediately after coming to consciousness in 75% of cases and have a belated appearance in the remaining 25% (Ramachandran 1605). Why is it that some people experience the pain as soon as the anesthesia wears off while some do not have this experience until weeks, even months after the procedure? Questions about both the onset of this syndrome are answered in “The Perception of Phantom Limb.” Within this article, Ramachandran explicitly states that the type of amputation does not have any influence on the onset of this syndrome (1605). This fact can be surprising to many people because it seems likely that someone who lost a limb traumatically, in an automobile accident for example, would go into shock and their memories could be altered. They would likely only remember the moments before the crash, when they still had their limb, and then would wake up in a hospital missing an entire portion of their body. It is logical to believe that this would cause the patient to go into shock and their brain would scramble to make every false connection and attribute all sensory input to make it seem as though the limb is still there. Traumatic amputations, although they influence the chance of developing Phantom Limb Syndrome at some point after surgery, do not influence whether the onset is immediately after the operation or three weeks