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Peripheral Nerve Repair in Houston, TX
Peripheral Nerves
The peripheral nerves are the nerve fibers that compose the area from head to toe, connecting the brain and spinal cord with the rest of the body parts. Nerves transmit electrical impulses and signals to and from the brain. Peripheral nervous system disorders interrupt the transmission of signals and weaken the sensory and motor nerve functions.
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Injury of the Hand Peripheral Nerve
Unlike the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves have an inherent capacity for healing and regeneration. A hand peripheral nerve injury can recover completely if the repair is performed at the right time.
What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Nerve Injuries?
The common symptoms of a hand peripheral nerve injury include pain, numbness, muscle weakness, burning sensation and tingling sensation in the hands.
What are the Causes of Peripheral Nerve Injuries?
Peripheral disorders may result from injury, infections, alcoholism, trauma, diabetes, tumors and kidney disorders.
What are the Treatment Options of Peripheral Nerve Injuries?
These conditions may be treated with conservative methods or with neurosurgeries. Hand peripheral nerve surgery aims at restoring the motor and sensory nerve functions of your arm.
Indications for Peripheral Nerve Repair
The surgeries are indicated for:
- Peripheral nerve tumors
- Peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome
- Peripheral nerve injuries that have caused severe weakness or numbness
- Injuries that have not improved with conservative treatment
Peripheral Nerve Repair Procedure
The various hand peripheral nerve surgery techniques include:
Nerve Transfers
Nerve transfer is a neurosurgical procedure performed to regain function of a body part when complete loss of function or sensation has occurred. During surgery, a normal nerve is harvested from the muscle and inserted into the muscle where the nerve is damaged, to restore the function of the muscle.
Nerve Repair
Nerve lacerations can occur when a nerve is cut by a sharp object such as metal, glass or in cases of stabbing. Surgical repair involves suturing the cut ends of the lacerated nerve.
Nerve Graft Repair
Nerve graft repair involves implanting a nerve at the gap created by excision of a nerve end during surgery. Nerve grafts can be selected from a sensory nerve of any another part of the body.
Nerve Decompression Surgery
Nerve decompression surgery is used to treat peripheral nerve entrapment conditions. The procedure involves removal of the structures that compress the nerves; for example, a bony enlargement in case of arthritis or muscle enlargement as a result of overuse of muscles. This surgery provides immediate relief from the symptoms, but the complete recovery may require several weeks to months.
Surgical Excision of Nerve Tumors
Surgical excision of nerve tumors involves removal of a benign tumor formed within the nerve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of a peripheral nerve injury in the hand?
Common symptoms include pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and burning or tingling sensations in the hands. Because peripheral nerves have an inherent capacity for healing, a hand nerve injury can often recover completely when repair is performed at the right time.
What causes peripheral nerve injuries?
Peripheral nerve disorders can result from injury, trauma, infections, tumors, diabetes, alcoholism, and kidney disorders. These conditions interrupt the transmission of signals and weaken sensory and motor nerve function.
When is peripheral nerve repair surgery recommended?
Surgery is indicated for peripheral nerve tumors, nerve entrapment syndromes, and nerve injuries that have caused severe weakness or numbness. It is also recommended for injuries that have not improved with conservative treatment.
What surgical techniques are used to repair peripheral nerves?
Depending on your injury, Dr. Luo may perform a nerve transfer, direct nerve repair by suturing cut ends together, nerve graft repair to bridge a gap, nerve decompression surgery, or surgical excision of a nerve tumor. The right technique is chosen based on the type and severity of the nerve damage.
What is the goal of hand peripheral nerve surgery?
The primary aim of peripheral nerve surgery is to restore the motor and sensory nerve functions of your arm and hand. While decompression surgery can provide immediate relief of symptoms, complete recovery may take several weeks to months.
Randy Y. Luo, MD, MBA
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Hand & Upper Extremity Specialist