Have Your Nerve Injuries Treated at Orange County Hand Surgery Specialists!
The nerves in your body serve as the wires of the body, carrying information from the brain to other areas. Nerve injuries can disrupt the passage of information and affect sensory and/or motor processes. At Orange County Hand Surgery Specialists, Dr. Ying Chi is double board-certified in orthopaedic and hand surgery and can repair nerve injuries to the fingers.
Contact Orange County Hand Surgery Specialists today to schedule a consultation at our office in Fountain Valley or Tustin and have your nerve injuries professionally evaluated and treated.
What are Nerve Injuries?
Most of the functions of the body rely on signals from the brain, which are carried by bundles of nerves. The nerves act as the body’s internal wiring system and consist of two types:
- Sensory nerves: These signal sensations of pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain
- Motor nerves: These are responsible for body movement such as waving and walking
Most nerve bundles are made up of both sensory and motor nerves, and when a nerve injury is caused by pressure, stretching, or cutting, the nerve can stop working and in severe cases can prevent muscles from functioning properly and cause numbness in the area.
How are Nerve Injuries Treated?
In cases where the nerve and its protective sheath have been cut, surgery may be necessary to repair the broken nerve and restore sensation and mobility to the affected fingers. As the nerves in the fingers are as thin as a strand of spaghetti, this is a delicate procedure that involves tiny, thin stitches. The affected finger is then set in a splint for about 3 weeks to heal and prevent stretching. Dr. Chi will discuss the specifics of your procedure with you as nerve procedures may vary depending on the injury.
When nerves are damaged but not cut, alternative treatment options may be discussed by Dr. Chi during your consultation at our office in Fountain Valley. It is important to have cut nerves treated, as it is possible for cut nerve fibers to grow into a painful ball at the end of the cut and form a nerve scar.
What is the Recovery Like?
Depending on the extent of your nerve injury, it may take three to four weeks for the nerves to begin healing and may take several more weeks to a year for full recovery. During the healing process, it is common to feel a “pins and needles” sensation, which is a normal sign that proper nerve function is being restored.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chi and have your nerve injuries expertly evaluated and treated.
Figure 1: Nerve with bundles of individual nerve fibers and surrounding outer sheath (“insulation”)
Figure 2: Nerve repair with realignment of bundles