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Peripheral Nerve Repair

Peripheral Nerves

The peripheral nerves are the nerve fibers that connect 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.

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?

Trauma, such as a laceration or a blast or stretch injury, can cause injury to the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve injury may also result from infections, alcoholism, diabetes, tumors and kidney disorders.

What are the Treatment Options of Peripheral Nerve Injuries?

These conditions may be treated with conservative methods or with surgical repair or reconstruction. 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 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 back together.

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 in another part of the body or they can come from cadaver nerve tissue.

Nerve Decompression Surgery

Nerve decompression surgery is used to treat peripheral nerve entrapment conditions. The procedure involves removal of the structures that compress the nerve; for example, a bony enlargement in the case of arthritis or muscle enlargement as a result of overuse of muscles. This surgery typically provides immediate relief from the symptoms, but complete recovery may require several months or longer.

Nerve Transfers

Nerve transfer is a surgical 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.

Surgical Excision of Nerve Tumors

Surgical excision of nerve tumors involves removal of a tumor formed within the nerve.

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