What is a peripheral nerve injury?
Peripheral nerve injuries can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that affect everyday activities. These injuries can happen anywhere in the body and may result from an accident, surgery, or another medical condition.
Our specialists diagnose and treat peripheral nerve injuries using advanced techniques to help restore movement, sensation, and function. Depending on your injury, treatment may include physical therapy, nerve repair, or reconstructive surgery.
Peripheral nerves carry messages between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. These nerves help control movement and sensation.
When a peripheral nerve is damaged, it can interrupt these signals, causing pain, weakness, or loss of sensation. Peripheral nerve surgery focuses on repairing or reconstructing damaged nerves to help restore function.
Not all nerve injuries require surgery. Some may improve with physical therapy and careful monitoring. More severe injuries may require surgical treatment.
Early evaluation is important because delaying treatment can limit the effectiveness of certain nerve repair procedures.
Signs and symptoms of peripheral nerve injuries
Peripheral nerve injuries can affect the arms, hands, legs, feet, head, neck, or trunk.
Common symptoms include:
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling
- Burning or shooting pain
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty moving an arm, hand, leg, or foot
- Loss of muscle function following an injury
These symptoms may develop after trauma, surgery, or certain medical conditions.
One type of peripheral nerve injury is a brachial plexus injury, which affects the network of nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
How are peripheral nerve injuries diagnosed?
During your first appointment, a specialist will perform a physical examination to identify where the injury occurred and how it affects your movement and sensation.
Additional testing may include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Provides detailed images to help evaluate the affected area
- Electromyography (EMG): Measures electrical activity in muscles to help identify nerve-related problems
- Electrodiagnostic testing: Helps assess the extent and severity of nerve damage
Your care team will use these findings to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment options for peripheral nerve injuries
Treatment depends on the location, severity, and timing of your injury. Some injuries may improve without surgery, while others require advanced surgical techniques.
- Nonsurgical treatment: Some peripheral nerve injuries can be managed with physical therapy and careful monitoring to support recovery
- Nerve repair: For certain injuries, surgeons may reconnect damaged nerves to support healing and help restore function
- Nerve transfer surgery: Nerve transfer surgery uses a functioning nerve to help restore movement or sensation in an area affected by nerve damage. This technique may be recommended for injuries that cannot be treated with direct nerve repair.
- Nerve reconstruction: Complex nerve injuries may require reconstructive surgery using advanced microsurgical techniques to help restore lost function.
Because nerves heal slowly, recovery often requires ongoing follow-up and careful planning. Your care team will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Why choose Nebraska Medicine for peripheral nerve surgery?
Specialized care for complex nerve injuries
Our specialists diagnose and treat peripheral nerve injuries throughout the body, including the arms, legs, and trunk. They use advanced surgical techniques, including microsurgery and nerve transfers, to address complex injuries.
A team approach to your care
Peripheral nerve injuries can affect more than the nerves themselves. Our surgeons collaborate with physical therapists, neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, as well as other experts to provide coordinated care.
Research focused on advancing nerve care
Our specialists are involved in clinical and basic science research to improve peripheral nerve injury treatment. This includes research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center supported by National Institutes of Health grants.
Personalized treatment and recovery
Every nerve injury is different. Your care team develops a treatment plan based on your injury, symptoms, and goals, with ongoing follow-up to monitor healing and recovery.