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Lumbosacral plexus surgery
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF LUMBOSACRAL PLEXUS INJURIES
This procedure repairs lumbosacral nerves to restore function in the lower limb
What is the lumbosacral plexus?
The lumbosacral plexus is located in your lower back and pelvis, and forks into branches in front of the hip joint and down the front and back of your thighs and legs. This procedure repairs the lumbosacral plexus — a network of nerve fibres supplying the muscles of your lower limbs.
Damage to the pelvis, such as a traffic accident, can damage the lumbosacral plexus. This can cause pain and weakness in the lower limb, which can feel like burning, cramping and tingling.
Moving the hip, knee, ankle, foot and toes can be impossible. The hip may also stop working if the gluteal nerves have been badly damaged.
Leading surgeon, Mr Marco Sinisi at our Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI) unit at The Wellington Hospital is an expert at carrying out lumbosacral plexus surgery, restoring movement in the leg and treating pain.
Mr Marco Sinisi - Peripheral Nerve Specialist
At HCA Healthcare UK, we work with leading consultants to enable access to the the latest techniques and treatment.
Mr Marco Sinisi is our lead consultant for Peripheral Nerve Injuries based at The Wellington Hospital. Mr Sinisi has a comprehensive knowledge of nerve injuries and has experience in a wide range of nerve problems from trauma through to sports injuries. He is experienced in managing complex nerve conditions as well as performing complex nerve operations.
Need to know
The treatment consists of surgery in the attempt of reconnecting the most important nerves to regain function in the lower limb. At times, they are reconnected directly into the spinal canal.
Sometimes nerve reconnection is performed with nerve grafts taken from other parts of the body. The nerve acts as a tube or cable, guiding the nerve fibres until they grow across the gap.
You may also have a nerve transfer. This is where (less valuable) undamaged nerves near the injury are used to replace the damaged nerve in order to restore function. These procedures are carried out under general anaesthetic.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and how to prepare. They'll also answer any questions you may have. You won't need to stay overnight and can go home after your surgery.
You should arrange to have someone take you home as you won't be able to drive. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Recovery depends on the severity of the injury. It can take a long time for the nerve fibres to grow along the nerve and into the adjoining muscle — approximately 1mm a day.
Intensive physiotherapy plays a vital role when recovering from nerve repair surgery and helps to restore function. You may also need sensory stimulation and motor stimulation.
Our Lumbosacral plexus surgery locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Elstree Waterfront Outpatients
Beaufort House WD6 3BS Elstree
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.