Symptoms can include loss of sensation or partial or complete paralysis in all or parts of the arm and hand becoming paralysed and numb. Most common after an impact to the shoulder or neck, usually following a motorbike accident or sporting injury.
Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI) Unit
The PNI Unit at The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London
NW8 9LE
Wellington Place
London
NW8 9LE
Caring for all kinds of peripheral nerve injuries
The peripheral nerve injury unit at The Wellington Hospital is led by Mr Marco Sinisi, who has dedicated his life in understanding the peripheral nerve system. He treats patients every day from all over the world and draws on their ground-breaking research and uses the very latest diagnostic technology and surgical techniques - to ensure you receive the right treatment and the best possible outcome.
Our rehabilitation centre offer personalised rehabilitation programmes, tailored to support each individual and their family. Mr Marco Sinisi works with a team of rehabilitation specialists that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, hand therapists, neuropsychologists, and specialist rehabilitative nurses.
Mr Marco Sinisi offers consultations in Elstree, St John's Wood, and for younger patients at The Portland Hospital. If you would like to make an appointment we'll be happy to help.
The peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves outside of the brain and the spinal cord. Whether caused by injury, surgery, or conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerves can lead to debilitating chronic pain that is often very difficult to diagnose and therefore treat.
We help you with life-changing procedures, including nerve transplant surgery for those who have suffered traumatic injuries to the brachial plexus or other types of paralysis.
Peripheral nerve conditions we treat
- Adult brachial plexus injury
- Neuropathic pain
- Nerve tumours
- Bone fractures
- Birth brachial plexus injury
- Lumbosacral plexus injury
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Persistent pain after a sports injury
- Nerve injury following many types of surgery
- Nerve damage following a road traffic accident or work related accident
Identifying and treating nerve injuries and conditions
Brachial plexus injury
Lumbosacral plexus injury
Usually injury received after a severe trauma to the lower part of the body with pelvic or hip fractures or dislocation leaving you with sensation loss and/or movement in the hip, knee, ankle, foot or toes.
Nerve compression
A number of different peripheral nerves may have their normal function impaired by entrapment with abnormal compression causing loss of sensation and pain. Most common is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Nerve tumours
Benign and malignant tumours can be removed without any added neurological problems by working inside the nerve.
Restoring limb function with surgical reconstruction
We use several methods to restore limb function following a nerve injury, these include:
- muscle transfers
- nerve transfers
- joint fusions
Peripheral nerve services
Latest diagnostic technology
Diagnostic imaging is fundamental for peripheral nerve damage and injury. Identifying the cause of your pain is not always clear and many of our patients have seen several other clinicians without finding the right diagnosis and relief for their pain. This is why we always invest in the latest and most accurate diagnostic equipment. To get the right diagnosis first time we use MRI, nuclear medicine (SPECT CT and PET CT), CT, neurophysiology (EMG, nerve conduction studies) and nerve blocks. Our technicians, physiologists, reporting clinicians and radiologists are all specialists in their field — using our machines to get the most precise information possible.
Caring for you like family
We treat patients from across the UK and internationally. We fully understand staying in hospital can be an anxious time which is why we surround you with an experienced team to support you fully throughout your treatment with us.
A multi disciplinary approach
The units globally recognised consultants also work together at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. It’s by working together again and again they can innovate – improving a technique, or developing an approach – to transform care for you. The unit is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists including oncologists, neurophysiologists, anaesthetists, radiologists and specialist physicians using the very latest endoscopic and diagnostic technology. Our specialist nurses are chosen for their high level of training and experience. We have everything we need to care for our patients – including the highest level intensive care units (ICU).
Treating patients from birth
Infant brachial plexus injury is one of the most common types of birth injuries affecting thousands of infants each year.
A brachial plexus injury received during a complicated birth can affect newborn babies causing weakness in the baby's hand, arm and shoulder.
At The Portland Hospital we regularly treat infants providing them with the best possible outcomes.
“I have dedicated my career to advancing peripheral nerve surgery. For my patients who have been told that nothing can be done or there’s no other treatment options, I take great pride in finding a resolution and returning them to the best quality of life possible”
Rehabilitation following peripheral nerve injury
The Acute Neurological Rehabilitation Centre at The Wellington Hospital is home to the only CARF-accredited hospital based unit in London and the largest private acute unit of its kind in the UK.
Our rehabilitation centre offer personalised rehabilitation programmes, tailored to support each individual and their family. Mr Marco Sinisi works with a team of rehabilitation specialists that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, hand therapists, neuropsychologists, and specialist rehabilitative nurses.
Accessible appointments
Frequently asked questions
More information about peripheral nerve injuries
Whether you're experiencing pain from a previous nerve injury, have lost sensation, or you've experienced a traumatic injury to a nerve, we can offer the highest levels of care.
When a nerve has been damaged many years before and has left the patient with permanent loss of function. in selected cases, the function can be partially restored by detaching muscles that perform another movement and redirecting them onto the paralysed muscles through surgery.
Nerves branch out from the spinal cord to other parts of your body. These enable messages to travel from your brain to other parts of your body; it's down to this that we're able to run and walk. The nerves in your back carry messages about sensations and muscle controls to your brain. When these nerves...
Nerve tumours can develop within your nerves. As the nerves carry vital signals from your brain to the muscles in your body (allowing you to move and feel sensations), tumours can lead to loss of movement and pain if malignant. In most cases, the tumours are benign and can be removed with surgery.
The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves in your body. It controls your hands, feet and arms. Sometimes, these nerves can be damaged, leading to pain, weakness and numbness. This condition is known as peripheral nephropathy. It affects 1 in 10 people over the age of 55. If you're experiencing...
The brachial plexus is a group of five nerves which stem from the spinal cord in the neck. It connects the brain and spinal cord to the upper limb, allowing us movement and sensation. Brachial plexus injuries happen when the arm is forcefully pulled or stretched. Falls, motorbike and car accidents and...
A brachial plexus injury can affect newborn babies, causing weakness in the baby's hand, arm and shoulder. The brachial plexus is a group of nerve fibres stemming from the spine and through the neck. If pressure is applied to the baby's head during delivery, these nerves can become damaged causing weakness...
This procedure aims to correct shoulder deformities in children caused by brachial plexus palsy — muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm and hand. This condition is caused by injury to the brachial plexus during birth. The brachial plexus is a group of nerve fibres stemming from the spine...
Peripheral nerves serve the upper and lower parts of your body. Carpal tunnel syndrome (trapped nerve in the wrist) is a common example in the upper body and tarsal tunnel (trapped nerve in the ankle) is an example of the lower body. There are many causes of peripheral nerve damage. Traumatic impact,...
Nerve repair surgery aims to restore feeling and muscle use in a damaged area — it's a complex and delicate surgery. Our nerves are like special cables which carry messages to our brain and other parts of the body. When a nerve becomes damaged or injured, it may stop sending these signals,...
This procedure aims to remove peripheral nerve tumours as completely as possible, without damaging the nerve. Certain types of tumour (schwannomas) can be removed from the surface of a nerve, while others grow within a nerve (neurofibroma). In these cases, the nerve may be opened up so that the tumour...
This procedure aims to reattach or repair one of of your brachial plexus nerves. The brachial plexus is a group of five nerves stemming from the spinal cord in the neck. It connects the brain and spinal cord to nerves in the shoulder and arms, allowing movement and sensation. You have one brachial...
Peripheral nerves run from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to control movement and sensation in your muscles and limbs. If a nerve becomes pinched due to an injury or condition, it can cause pain, tingling or a lack of sensation. A surgical procedure can relieve these symptoms.
See a consultant
Book an appointment
Our team can help if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment. Our reception team are also on-hand if you'd like to make an appointment whilst your at the centre.
Patient amenities
Adolescent services
Medical care for children of all ages
We offer young people access to holistic care from an experienced multidisciplinary team.
The comprehensive care for adolescents within our medical centre is based on respect within a safe environment, and is personalised for any condition.
Our range of services include dermatology, gynaecology, sports and exercise injuries.
Women's health
Self-Referral Mammogram service
Our self-referral mammogram service allows those who are eligible to book their own mammograms. Helping to give them the peace of mind that this can bring without a lengthy wait for a referral or invitation for a breast screening at 50 years old.
Eligibility criteria:
Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
Please note that if you are using private medical insurance, your insurer may ask for a referral from your GP.
How we work with doctors
Meet our team
Our medical centre is supported by the expertise of leading consultants and multidisciplinary teams. Our teams are able to identify and diagnose complex conditions quickly and with accuracy.