CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
SURGERY TO REPAIR A DAMAGED NERVE
Nerve injury causes numbness and loss of movement — our HCA UK surgeon, Mr Marco Sinisi, specialises in complex nerve repair surgery
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, causing numbness and inability to use your muscles. During nerve repair surgery, your surgeon will reconnect the ends of the nerve. This aims to restore function to the area over time.
Nerve damage is most often caused by traumas and previous surgeries.
Nerve repair surgery happens under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will trim any damaged tissue from the nerve ending (the peripheral nerve in hand surgery) and realign the fibres within the nerve using a microscope. The nerve is then reattached.
If the surgeon has to cut a lot of damaged nerve from the end, it may be too short to reattach. Here, a nerve from elsewhere in the body may be used in its place (nerve grafting).
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.
Strengthening the newly attached nerve fibres is vital and physiotherapy plays a key role in recovery. After approximately three weeks, your physiotherapist will help you with certain exercises to help restore function.
They may also use electrical sensory and motor stimulation to aid recovery of the repaired nerve. These exercises will gradually intensify, until function improves.
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.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.