Nerve surgery refers to a variety of procedures performed to repair or reconstruct damaged peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. These surgeries aim to restore function, sensation, and reduce pain caused by nerve injuries, compression, or tumors.
If surgery is the best treatment option for you, you will likely have one of the following types of surgery: nerve repair, nerve graft, nerve transfer, neurolysis, or tendon transfer. Again, your specialist will talk with you about the treatment best suited to your condition.
When there is more extensive injury and the nerve ends can’t be reconnected, a surgery called nerve graft may be a more suitable option. In a nerve graft, a small piece of donor nerve is used to bridge the gap between the two nerve ends; the damaged nerve will then regenerate across the graft to provide recovery.
Conditions Treated
Nerve surgery treats a wide range of conditions, including:
- Traumatic injuries from accidents or cuts
- Brachial plexus injuries affecting the shoulder, arm, and hand
- Nerve compression syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression
- Nerve tumors
- Facial paralysis
- Painful neuromas (a mass of nerve tissue that can form after injury)
