Tumours can develop around the nerve, often leading to pain and the loss of movement. In most cases, these tumours are benign and can be removed with surgery.
Peripheral nerve injury
Complex orthopaedic injury can involve damage to the peripheral nerve and our orthopaedic consultants work as part of team to provide you complete treatment options including complex nerve injury cases.
Your guide to peripheral nerve treatment
There are a number of peripheral nerves which sit outside of the spinal cord and brain and connect them with the rest of the body. When one or more of these nerves becomes damaged, through injury or trauma, you can lose sensation or function, or both.
Symptoms of peripheral nerve injury can vary, and typically include pain, a burning sensation, pins and needles, tingling or total loss of sensation. We can offer you a range of surgical and non-surgical treatments at one of our two dedicated peripheral nerve injury units. These are located at The Wellington Hospital (for adults) and The Portland Hospital (for children), both in London.
Meet our peripheral nerve expert
Both of our London peripheral nerve units are led by consultant Mr Marco Sinisi, who offers patients the very latest treatments. He has dedicated his life to understanding the management of peripheral nerve injury and works closely with our leading orthopaedic specialists to ensure patients have access to wide-ranging expertise no matter how complex their condition. Consultants travel internationally to benefit from his ground-breaking research and surgical techniques.
Whether your nerve symptoms have been caused by injury, surgical complications, or conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, we understand damage to the peripheral nerves can lead to debilitating chronic pain that can be very difficult to diagnose. We’ll help with life-changing procedures, including nerve transplant surgery for those who have suffered traumatic injuries to the brachial plexus or other types of paralysis.
Common peripheral nerve injuries
Peripheral nerve tumours
Peripheral neuropathy
One in 10 people over the age of 55 develop nerve-related symptoms in the hands and feet which can include pain, weakness and numbness. If you're suffering we can help.
Brachial plexus injury
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the upper limb. Brachial plexus injuries can occur when the arm is forcefully pulled or stretched.
Common peripheral nerve injury treatments
Resection of nerve tumours
This procedure aims to remove the peripheral nerve tumour. Certain types of tumours can be removed from the surface of a nerve, while others grow within the nerve tissue itself.
Peripheral nerve release
Peripheral nerve release can relieve pain or numbness in your hands, arms, legs or feet caused by pinched nerves.
Repair of brachial plexus injury
Each side of your body is served by a brachial plexus, and each of these is made up of five nerves. Falls, contact sport injuries, or traffic accidents can result in brachial plexus injury.
Consultant advice
For any patient who has suffered serious trauma after an injury, paralysis of a limb is a terrifying outcome. But even if the unthinkable happens, there may still be hope of regaining mobility.
“I’ve seen nerves as flat as a sheet of paper in surgery,” says Mr Sinisi. “With complex trauma, there will be soft tissue damage and boney fractures along with nerve damage.”
Mr Sinisi is regularly called upon by fellow consultants to assess whether a patient’s nerve damage should be addressed surgically. In some instances, no intervention is needed, but often surgery can be helpful. In other cases, where the nerve and surrounding muscle tissue have died, the patient will need a tendon or muscle transfer to restore activity.
Mr Marco Sinisi, specialises in reconstructive work after paralysis and read more about his work on rewiring mind and body after a complex injury.
Paying for your own treatment
We see patients who are self-funding their treatment as well as those with medical insurance policies. We work with all the major private insurers, for example Bupa, AXA and many more. If you are paying for your own treatment and are considering peripheral nerve injury treatment, we offer a guide to the payment options available.
Book your appointment
To book your HCA UK appointment with our peripheral nerve expert, you can call or book online using our consultant finder. Remember to have your referral letter to hand. If you have private medical insurance, you’ll also need your membership number and authorisation code. We’ll confirm your appointment for you on the phone or online. If you have any special requests, we’ll get back to you by phone or email within 24 hours.