When Would You Need Peripheral Nerve Surgery?

Peripheral nerves are the nerves that are found outside of the central nervous system, and they’re instrumental in everything from movement to sensation. They’ve got a tough job too, as they have to transmit information up to the brain and down to the spinal cord on their journey.

In some cases, problems with a peripheral nerve can be resolved with stem cell surgery or opioid medications. If these approaches haven’t worked for you so far, it may be time to talk with your doctor about peripheral nerve surgery San Bernardino.

Here are the common conditions that would require peripheral nerve surgery.

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common reason that people seek out peripheral nerve surgery. This syndrome occurs when there is an issue with the median nerve. The median nerve runs from your forearm to your hand, where it’s responsible for a variety of things, including moving your fingers, allowing you to feel sensations in your thumb and index finger, and helping control your grip.

2. Cubital tunnel syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the term doctors use for any nerve issue that’s found in the cubital tunnel. The names of these nerves are pretty self-explanatory as they run from the elbow down to your wrist, where they all work together to control your arm and hand. Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause pain and weakness in your hand, as well as loss of sensation.

3. Ulnar neuropathy

One of the most dangerous nerve conditions is ulnar neuropathy. It can be caused by a number of things, including prolonged use of steroid drugs, infection, and even diabetes. Any of these conditions can damage your ulnar nerve and cause pain in your hand.

4. Hemifacial spasm

Hemifacial spasm is a facial nerve disorder that causes sudden and uncontrollable spasms. These spasms can cause pain in your cheek, jaw, or even your temple. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it could be because of an issue with your 7th cranial nerve.

5. Peripheral nerve tumors

A tumor, whether benign or malignant, can be a challenging situation to handle. That’s why many people seek out peripheral nerve surgery to remove one of these growths before they cause any more harm.

6. Brachial plexopathy

Brachial plexopathy is what happens when there’s an issue with the nerves in your upper arm, which leads to a number of symptoms. In some cases, treating this condition will involve modifying the nerve itself.