Nerve Repairs Specialist

Who benefits from nerve repairs?

Dr. Echo recommends any patient diagnosed with a nerve injury schedule a consultation for a nerve repair as soon as they are aware of the injury.

Regardless of the severity of your nerve injury, it’s imperative that you have it repaired as soon as possible. Delaying nerve repair may decrease the likelihood of any muscle recovery. Your injured nerve may also turn into a chronic pain condition that’s difficult to treat. 

Dr. Echo is a fellowship-trained peripheral nerve surgeon and has the skills and qualifications to restore nerve health and function. 

What happens during nerve repair consultation?

Dr. Echo conducts comprehensive evaluations when you come in for a nerve repair consultation. If you’re unable to get to the office, telemedicine appointments are available.

To help expedite your treatment plan, he requests you send records from your emergency room visit or other health care providers. 

During the consultation, Dr. Echo conducts a thorough clinical exam, reviewing your symptoms and the details of your injury. He may then conduct electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve function, if not already completed. 

What are surgical procedures for nerve repairs?

Dr. Echo uses a variety of techniques for nerve repair based on location, distance to the muscle, and overall function. 

Nerve repair techniques include:

Direct repair

For freshly injured nerves, Dr. Echo cuts the ends and sutures them back together. This is the best nerve repair option if done immediately.

Nerve graft

Dr. Echo performs two nerve graft options: autologous and allograft. 

During the autologous nerve graft, Dr. Echo uses a nerve you have to repair your damaged nerve. He often uses the sural nerve, which is in the outer ankle, for autologous nerve grafting.

With allograft nerve grafting, Dr. Echo uses a donor graft from another patient. The nerve is specially processed and preserved, which prevents the need for harvesting of the patient’s own nerves, but the donor graft is limited to seven centimeters. 

Nerve transfers

During a nerve transfer, Dr. Echo rewires your nerves. He transfers a working nerve to the muscle that’s not working. Only peripheral nerve surgeons, like Dr. Echo, have the skills to perform this type of procedure. 

Even if you had a recent nerve repair somewhere else, Dr. Echo recommends you consult with him to see if you’re a good candidate for a nerve transfer. 

To schedule a consultation to discuss nerve repairs with an expert in the field, call Anthony Echo, MD, or request an appointment online today.