What Is Peripheral Nerve Surgery?
Peripheral nerves are responsible for transmitting sensory information, such as touch, pain, and temperature, from various parts of the body to the central nervous system. These nerves are located in the brain and spinal cord. In addition to carrying out sensory functions, these nerves control muscles, enabling voluntary actions like speaking, writing, eating, typing, and engaging in sports activities.
Any damage to peripheral nerves can lead to changes or a loss of sensation. Individuals may experience weakness or sometimes suffer from a paralytic attack. Changes in sensation and strength depend on the affected peripheral nerve(s) and the nature and location of the problem. Doctors may recommend peripheral nerve surgery for treating a variety of peripheral nerve-related issues and certain neurological conditions, including the following listed below:
- Thoracic outlet
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Peripheral nerve tumors
- Neurofibromas
- Supinator and pronator teres syndromes
- Ganglian cysts
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Schwannomas
- Traumatic peripheral nerve injuries
- Neuropathic and myopathic diseases
With a deep understanding of the peripheral nervous system and exceptional surgical skills, Dr. Stephen Shelby Burks has achieved outstanding surgical outcomes.
What symptoms indicate I need peripheral nerve surgery?
The peripheral nerves encompass all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. The specific symptoms experienced by an individual are determined by the type of nerve affected:
Sensory Nerves
Sensory nerves play a crucial role in detecting pain, temperature, pressure, and other sensory information, which they transmit to the brain. Any damage to these nerves may result in localized or radiating pain, tingling, burning sensations, or numbness (loss of sensation).
Motor Nerves
Motor nerves are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements, including walking and talking. When these nerves are damaged, it can lead to various issues such as painful cramps, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass), and muscle twitching.
Autonomic Nerves
The autonomic nerves play a crucial role in regulating vital bodily functions that are beyond conscious control, such as heart function, breathing, hormone production, digestion, and body temperature. When these nerves are affected, a wide range of symptoms can occur. These may include a rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, gastrointestinal issues, and other related problems.
What causes a peripheral nerve disorder?
Peripheral nerve disorders can result from a variety of factors. Some common triggers for these disorders include:
- Celiac disease
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Postherpetic neuralgia (from shingles)
- Kidney failure
- Infectious diseases
- Lupus and other autoimmune disorders
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Alcoholism
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
- Repetitive stress
- Hormonal disorders
- Nerve root injuries or pinched nerves cause similar symptoms
- Poisoning
Treatment Options of Peripheral Nerve Injuries
The conditions can be treated by implementing conventional methods such as neurosurgery. The problems associated with motor and sensory nerve functionally of arms are resolved by performing hand peripheral nerve surgery.
Diagnosis
Dr. Stephen Shelby Burks uses noninvasive tests to diagnose brachial plexus injuries and other peripheral nerve disorders. These tests may include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – The test involves use of magnets and radio waves to create a clear image of the inside of your body. The doctor can see nerves and assess them for damage.
High-resolution ultrasound – The test is conducted by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. The expert uses acoustic waves for imaging soft tissues in real-time from multiple angles.
Nerve conduction studies – Electrodes record the pace of electrical impulse movement through nerves. These studies help reveal nerve related problems.
Electromyogram – The test involves use of electrodes to measure electrical activity within muscles. It is helpful in understanding if the problem lies in your muscles or nerves.
Peripheral Nerve Repair Procedure
Varied types of peripheral nerve surgery techniques include:
Nerve Transfers
Nerve transfer is a specialized neurosurgical procedure designed to restore function to a body part that has experienced complete loss of function or sensation. The procedure aims to restore muscle function and regain sensation in the affected area. It involves the careful extraction of a healthy nerve from a muscle and transplantation into the damaged nerve area.
Nerve Repair
Nerve lacerations can happen as a result of any sharp object, such as metal or glass, cutting the nerve. The condition can be treated through a surgical intervention involving careful suturing of the severed ends of the damaged nerve together.
Nerve Graft Repair
This procedure involves the transplantation of a nerve taken from another part of the body to bridge the gap created by the excision of the damaged nerve. Sensory nerves from various areas of the body can be used as grafts.
Nerve Decompression Surgery
Nerve decompression surgery is a therapeutic approach used to address peripheral nerve entrapment conditions. It involves the removal of structures that exert pressure on the affected nerves, such as bony enlargements associated with arthritis or muscle enlargements caused by excessive muscle use. This surgery offers immediate relief from symptoms. Full recovery may take several weeks to a month.
Surgical Excision of Nerve Tumors
Surgical excision of nerve tumors is a procedure performed to remove benign tumors that develop within the nerves.
