Overview

Damaged nerves take a long time to regrow, usually about an inch per month or a millimetre per day. During this regrowth process, you may experience muscle loss. A peripheral nerve neurosurgeon specializes in restoring nerve function (reinnervation) before muscle loss occurs. They also focus on helping you improve your movement (motor function) and sensation.

Timing is the key to this program’s success. It’s crucial that you see a peripheral nerve neurosurgeon within two to three months of your nerve injury.

Tender Palm's Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery services provide surgeries that enhance movement and reduce pain and disability for individuals with acute nerve injuries, entrapment neuropathies, benign nerve tumours, and other nerve disorders.

Conditions we treat

Benign tumours (Ex. schwannomas and neurofibromas)
Brachia plexus injury
Cervical dystonia or torticollis
Compression of nerves
Compressive neuropathy carpal tunnel
Ulnar nerve palsy
Upper/lower extremity injury
Pain syndromes

Our treatment and diagnostic services:

Nerve transfers for injury or tumour
Muscle biopsy
Nerve biopsy
Nerve transfer and surgery
Peripheral nerve neurosurgery
Neurectomy and regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces
Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR)

What to Expect

Evaluation

Once referred to our team, you'll need to come in for a physical examination to evaluate the recovery of your nerves. Suppose there are no indications of functional or electrodiagnostic improvement within six months post-injury. In that case, we will discuss the possibility of surgery. This approach may help restore some function to the affected area. Depending on your specific condition and tailored treatment plan, you may collaborate with orthopaedic and plastic surgeons.

Treatment

Initially, your surgeons will focus on fixing the damaged nerves. Following that, they will perform either grafting or a nerve transfer to restore nerve function to your muscles, enhancing their performance. Typically, around two-thirds of these procedures last an hour or less, allowing you to return home the same day. However, more intricate surgeries can take as long as eight hours, which may require a hospital stay of up to three days post-operation.

Recovery

Post-surgery recovery can differ significantly from one individual to another. Several factors influence this process, such as your age, when the surgery was performed, and the severity of your injury. These factors can affect the outcome of your recovery.