What are nerves?
Nerves are the “electrical wiring” system of the body that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
What are the types of nerves?
There are two types of nerves- motor and sensory nerves.
Nerves can malfunction if compressed, stretched, or injured.
What happens when the nerve is compressed or stretched?
When the nerve is compressed or stretched, the outer cover of the nerve remains intact, but the ability of the nerve to send and receive signals from various parts of the body is compromised. If this compression is unrelieved, it can cause permanent damage to the nerve
What happens when the nerve is cut or injured?
When the nerve is cut or injured, fascicles within the nerve and its outer cover are both damaged with partial or complete loss of motor power and sensory input from the area of the distribution of nerve. If the nerve is not repaired, the growing nerve fibers may form a painful nerve scar, or neuroma at the cut ends.
What is the difference between a nerve and an electric wire?
Think of the nerve as an electric wire And injury to the nerve as a cut electric wire. The cut ends of the electric wire should be brought and glued together so that the electricity can travel through the wire uninterrupted and reach its destination like a fan, or tube light. Similarly, cut ends of the nerve should be brought together surgically and sutured under the microscope with very fine sutures so that signals from the brain can reach different parts of the body.
But there is a big difference!!! There is an immediate flow of electricity through the repaired wire in contrast to the nerve repair which takes a much longer time.
What is the rate of growth of the nerve after its repair?
Nerve fibers typically begin to regrow about three or four weeks after surgery. The nerve grows at a constant speed of one inch per month after it is repaired. So, the results of nerve repair can take months to a year to appear. During the process of recovery, the feeling of pins and needles in the area of distribution of the nerve is common. While this can be uncomfortable, it usually passes and is a sign of recovering nerve.
What is the ideal time for nerve repair?
After nerve repair, new fibers grow beneath the covering layer until they reach a muscle or sensory receptor. The nerve fibers should reach the target muscle within 18 months of the injury otherwise the muscle receptor degenerates. For this reason, repair should be done as early as possible after injury to allow maximum time period for growth of the nerve.
The sensory receptor does not degenerate, therefore, sensory nerve repair can be done anytime or years after the injury.
How is the nerve Injury managed?
The goal in repairing the nerve is to suture the covering layer with minute sutures so that new fibers can grow forward across the injured site towards its target organ and the nerve can work again.
Privacy is of utmost importance to us. Rest assured, all your personal and medical information is handled with strict confidentiality.
Our Surgeon is highly qualified and internationally certified with a team of skilled staff to perform any surgical or non-surgical treatment on your body.
Safety is our priority. We maintain stringent protocols to ensure a secure environment for all patients and staff members.
Facial injuries encompass a range of conditions, from minor lacerations to major fractures. In this guide, we’ll delve into the symptoms of facial injuries, potentially associated injuries, and the crucial steps to take for initial management.
Lymphedema is a chronic medical condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues, leading to swelling and discomfort, typically in the arms or legs. The lymphatic system is responsible for maintaining fluid balance in the body, filtering harmful substances, and supporting the immune system.
Burn injuries can happen suddenly, and knowing how to provide immediate first aid can make a significant difference in the outcome. This guide will walk you through the steps for administering first aid for burns at home and help you recognize when it’s time to seek professional medical assistance.
