Peripheral Nerve Surgery
When chronic pain from nerve damage interferes with your daily life, it may be time to consider peripheral nerve surgery. At Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio, in Mentor, Chardon, Westlake, Bedford and Garfield Heights, Ohio, the experienced surgeons offer peripheral nerve surgery to alleviate chronic pain and restore nerve functionality. To find out if you’re a candidate for peripheral nerve surgery, schedule a consultation using the online booking feature or by calling the office.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery Q & A
Why do I need peripheral nerve surgery?
Your doctor at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio may suggest peripheral nerve surgery if you have nerve conditions that cause you chronic pain or limit your foot’s functionality. They may recommend this type of surgery for conditions, such as:
- Neuroma
- Neuropathy
- Nerve entrapment
- Compartment syndrome
The experienced surgeons can perform several surgical treatments to repair nerve problems, including peripheral nerve microsurgery.
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a chronic condition that results when your nerves suffer damage from an injury or from underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes. Nerve damage can also result from infections or exposure to certain toxins.
Symptoms of neuropathy can include persistent pain, weakness, and numbness in your feet. Without treatment, these symptoms can spread up into your legs and make it difficult to walk, cause falls, and lead to a lack of coordination.
What is compartment syndrome?
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that develops when muscles swell due to inflammation or bleeding. If left untreated, this pressure can increase to dangerous levels and hinder blood circulation. Your nerve and muscle cells can then become deprived of oxygen and other nutrients because of the poor blood flow.
This condition can be chronic, developing gradually over time due to exercise and sports participation. You may also suffer from acute compartment syndrome after suffering a traumatic injury. This type of injury needs medical treatment right away.
What is peripheral nerve surgery?
The goal of peripheral nerve surgery is to reduce the pressure on the nerves that cause your pain. In the case of nerve entrapment, your surgeon can release the pressure and thereby alleviate the pain and other entrapment symptoms, such as pins-and-needles sensations and limb weakness.
Your doctor at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio will review your medical history and examine the area of pain to determine if surgery is the best course of treatment.
If you have surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia, and you may need to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days to recover before going home to rest. You should avoid putting pressure on your foot for 2-3 weeks to allow the surgical site to heal.
Once your incision heals, you should experience significant pain relief. To increase your strength and flexibility, your surgeon may suggest starting physical therapy.
To find out more about the benefits of peripheral nerve surgery, book an appointment online or over the phone with Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio today.