What is peripheral nerve surgery?
Peripheral nerve surgery aims to relieve chronic pain from nerve injuries or disorders. “The surgery involves rerouting healthy nerves to take over the function of the nerves that have been adversely affected by your condition or injury.”
Common conditions treated include:
- Traumatic nerve injuries from accidents
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Ulnar neuropathy
- Neurofibroma (nerve tumors)
The procedure has also proven effective for chronic headaches, migraines, and diabetic neuropathy.
Am I a good candidate for peripheral nerve surgery?
A surgeon will evaluate your candidacy during a consultation. Good candidates typically meet these criteria:
- Pain lasting more than three months in a specific area
- Symptoms unresponsive to non-surgical treatments like physical therapy or medication
- No obvious underlying cause for the pain
- Good overall health and non-smoking status
Before surgery is recommended, doctors assess whether the condition might heal independently or requires professional intervention.
