Cleveland Clinic surgeons performing neurosurgery

Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery

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You probably don’t think about your peripheral nerves. But when they stop working right, it can turn your world upside down.

A damaged peripheral nerve can change the way you look, walk, use your arms and hands and do once-simple tasks. Because the nerve(s) isn’t communicating with your brain the way it used to, you might not be able to move your muscles or feel sensations no matter how hard you try.

Cleveland Clinic experts understand how unsettling this can be and are here to help. Our specialists are experienced in replacing damaged tissue with peripheral nerve neurosurgery. And they’ll craft a personalized treatment plan to help you get back to feeling (and moving) like yourself again. Many people with damaged nerve tissue can almost completely recover — even if their nerves weren’t working at all before.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery?

Specialized knowledge:

Our team is led by a neurosurgeon (brain, spine and nerve surgeon) who has fellowship training in peripheral nerve neurosurgery. We regularly treat rare nerve conditions, so you can count on us for outstanding care and excellent outcomes. Our patients consistently regain muscle strength and range of motion and get lasting pain relief.

Industry leaders:

Our experts use the latest evidence-based techniques and train the next generation of peripheral nerve neurosurgeons. As an academic medical center, Cleveland Clinic trains neurosurgeons from all over the world. Meet our team.

Collaborative care:

Our peripheral nerve neurosurgeon works closely with other healthcare providers to give life-changing care for complex conditions. We work with hand surgeons if a nerve issue, like a brachial plexus injury, is affecting your hands or arms.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Virtual visits:

We understand you might not always feel well enough to see your providers in person. That’s why we offer virtual visits, where you can talk with them from the comfort of home using your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Consultation for Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic

During your visit, your provider will talk with you about your medical history and will ask about any illnesses, injuries or accidents you may have had. They’ll also ask about your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life.

You’ll also likely have blood tests, like a complete blood count (CBC) and tests to see how your kidneys, liver and thyroid are working. Your provider might also have you do:

The results from these tests will help us figure out what’s causing your peripheral nerve problems and decide what the next steps for your treatment will be.

Meet Our Peripheral Nerve Surgery Team

No matter what caused your peripheral nerve damage, Cleveland Clinic’s experienced healthcare providers start planning your treatment from your first visit. Your team could include:

Providers Who Perform Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Locations

We perform Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic's main campus and London.

Peripheral Nerve Neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic

Your treatment for peripheral nerve damage will depend on what’s causing your problems and where the damage is. Your provider will explain what peripheral nerve neurosurgery is, what to expect as you prepare for it, what will happen during the procedure and how your recovery will go. Treatment options include:

Brachial plexus repair and reconstruction

Your brachial plexus is a group of nerves that connect your spine to your arm or hand. These nerves let your shoulders, arms, hands and fingers feel and move. Pulling your arm too hard can injure these nerves.

If your injury doesn’t get better on its own, we can do surgery to repair it. Peripheral nerve neurosurgery may involve removing scar or damaged nerve tissue. If we remove your nerve tissue, we’ll reconnect your healthy nerve endings to existing healthy tissue. Repair may also involve grafting (moving healthy nerve tissue from another area of your body).

Cervical dystonia care

Also known as torticollis, cervical dystonia causes your neck muscles to tighten (contract), which is painful and forces your head to tilt down.

We use selective denervation to improve your head alignment. This procedure involves cutting or removing specific areas of your nerve tissue to help your contracted muscles relax. This can make it easier for you to hold your head upright. It can also lift your gaze so you can comfortably see the world around you.

Nerve compression syndrome

When there’s pressure on a peripheral nerve it can cause nerve compression syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common type. If less invasive treatments — like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroid injections, physical and occupational therapy, splints, braces or orthotics don’t work — we can do surgery to open up the nerve tunnel.

Nerve tumor treatment

Peripheral nerve neurosurgery can also treat nerve sheath tumors, including schwannomas and neurofibromas. Your neurosurgeon will carefully remove these abnormal growths, while keeping as much of your nearby healthy tissue as possible.

Nerve disease or injury treatment

If nerve disease or an injury to your nerve is causing your pain, your provider might recommend medications or steroid injections first. If these treatments don’t lessen the pain, you may need surgery to cut the nerve (neurectomy). If you’ve injured the nerve, it may get thick and irritated and form a small growth called a neuroma. Painful neuromas can be treated with surgery by wrapping the end of the nerve in a small piece of muscle (regenerative peripheral nerve interface) or rerouting the end of the nerve to another nerve (targeted muscle reinnervation).

At Cleveland Clinic, we’re also experts in finding rare cancer complications, like perineural tumor spread. This happens when cancer in an organ spreads to tiny nerve branches nearby. We’ll take a tissue sample (biopsy) to confirm whether cancer is spreading to nearby nerves so we can treat you right away.

Taking the Next Step

If peripheral nerve damage has made it hard to smile, pick up your child or even walk across the room, life can seem pretty challenging. Our skilled, compassionate providers are here to help you navigate through peripheral nerve surgery and recovery. Even if other treatments haven’t been successful, our experts will work to find the right treatment for you — so you can start moving easily again.