If you’re living with weakness, numbness, or lingering pain from nerve damage, nerve repair may help you reclaim function and comfort. At Sharma Hand & Nerve, Dr. Ketan Sharma specializes in surgical solutions that target the source of chronic nerve injuries, helping you reclaim strength and sensation in affected areas.
What is Nerve Repair?
Nerve repair is a surgical procedure that restores continuity and function to injured or severed nerves. When a nerve is damaged—due to trauma, surgery, or compression—it may lose its ability to transmit signals properly, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness. Dr. Sharma carefully reconnects or reconstructs the damaged nerve using microsurgical techniques. This can involve direct suturing, grafting, or other methods depending on the injury’s severity and location. Nerve repair helps restore movement, reduce pain, and improve sensation.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms Indicating You May Need Nerve Repair?
Nerve damage can lead to a range of symptoms that interfere with daily activities and quality of life. If conservative treatments haven’t helped, surgical nerve repair may be needed. Look out for the following signs:
- Persistent numbness in the hand, arm, leg, or foot
- Muscle weakness or loss of function in a limb
- Sharp, shooting, or burning nerve pain
- Tingling or “pins and needles” sensation that doesn’t improve
- Inability to move or control specific muscles
- Noticeable muscle atrophy or thinning in the affected area
- No improvement in nerve symptoms after several months of healing
What Does Nerve Repair Treat?
Nerve repair is used to treat injuries where the nerve has been stretched, crushed, or severed, typically due to trauma, surgery, or long-standing compression.
These injuries can disrupt communication between the brain and muscles or skin, leading to chronic pain, weakness, or loss of function. By surgically restoring nerve continuity, Dr. Sharma aims to relieve symptoms and improve overall function.
What Happens During Nerve Repair?
Nerve repair surgery begins with Dr. Sharma making a precise incision to access the injured nerve. Using high-powered surgical microscopes, he carefully isolates the damaged nerve and removes any scar tissue or non-viable segments. If the two ends of the nerve can be brought together without tension, Dr. Sharma performs an end-to-end repair using sutures to align the nerve fascicles—bundles of fibers within the nerve—to ensure optimal signal transmission.
When the nerve gap is too large for a direct repair, Dr. Sharma uses a nerve graft to bridge the space. This graft may come from the patient’s own body (typically the sural nerve from the leg) or from a processed donor nerve. He secures the graft in place and may use nerve conduits to protect the site. Once complete, the surgical site is closed and immobilized to support healing.
What is Recovery Like After Nerve Repair?
Recovery after nerve repair surgery is gradual and varies depending on the location and severity of your injury. You may experience swelling, soreness, or temporary numbness around the surgical site. Most patients need to wear a splint or brace to protect the repair during early healing. Nerves regenerate slowly—typically about one millimeter per day—so improvements in sensation and function can take several months. Dr. Sharma will monitor your progress closely and guide your rehabilitation plan to ensure the best outcome.
To support your recovery, you may need to:
- Limit movement of the affected area in the early stages
- Keep the surgical site clean and dry
- Attend regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Sharma
- Begin physical or occupational therapy as recommended
- Avoid strenuous activity until cleared by your care team
- Report any unusual symptoms, such as increased pain or infection
- Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to support nerve healing
Why Choose Dr. Sharma for Nerve Repair?
Dr. Ketan Sharma is a board-certified hand and nerve surgeon with advanced training in microsurgical nerve repair and reconstruction. With a medical degree from Duke University and fellowship training under pioneers in orthoplastic surgery, Dr. Sharma brings world-class expertise to every case. He performs over 600 nerve and pain surgeries each year and is especially known for treating chronic pain and nerve injuries that others may overlook.
Here’s why patients trust Dr. Sharma for nerve repair:
- Specializes in treating complex nerve injuries and chronic pain
- Trained under pioneers in orthoplastic and microvascular surgery
- Emphasizes optimal outcomes, function, and long-term pain relief
- Offers personalized care and hands-on diagnosis using physical exams
- Publishes and lectures globally on nerve surgery and innovation
If you’re dealing with nerve pain or weakness, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sharma to explore your options for expert nerve repair.
