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.

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.

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.