If you’re experiencing numbness, muscle weakness, or nerve pain following an injury or surgery, peripheral nerve grafting may provide lasting relief. At Sharma Hand & Nerve in Boise, Dr. Ketan Sharma uses advanced microsurgical techniques to restore nerve function and reduce chronic symptoms at their source.
What is Peripheral Nerve Grafting?
Peripheral nerve grafting is a microsurgical technique used to repair or replace damaged sections of peripheral nerves. When a nerve is severely injured or missing a segment, a graft—usually taken from another nerve in the body—is used to bridge the gap and guide new nerve growth. This procedure allows healthy nerve fibers to regenerate across the graft, restoring communication between the brain and the affected area. Dr. Sharma performs this advanced surgery to help patients regain sensation and function after complex nerve injuries.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms Indicating You May Need Peripheral Nerve Grafting?
If you’ve experienced nerve trauma or ongoing symptoms following surgery, your body may be signaling an underlying nerve disruption. Peripheral nerve grafting may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative care. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Persistent numbness or tingling in a limb
- Muscle weakness that does not improve over time
- Pain or burning sensation near the site of nerve injury
- Loss of coordination or fine motor control
- No improvement in function following previous nerve repair
- Visible atrophy (shrinking) of muscles near the injury site
What Does Peripheral Nerve Grafting Treat?
Peripheral nerve grafting is typically used to treat severe or complex nerve injuries where the nerve has been cut, severely scarred, or lost a segment due to trauma or surgery. These injuries often result in long-term sensory or motor dysfunction, including numbness, weakness, or pain.
When direct nerve repair isn’t possible due to the size or condition of the nerve gap, grafting provides a biological scaffold to help restore nerve continuity and function.
What Happens During Peripheral Nerve Grafting?
Peripheral nerve grafting begins with Dr. Sharma making a careful incision to access the injured nerve. Using a microscope for enhanced precision, he examines the damaged nerve ends. If the nerve gap is too large for direct repair, Dr. Sharma harvests a sensory nerve graft—commonly the sural nerve from the back of the leg. This donor nerve is then measured and tailored to bridge the exact length of the damaged segment.
He delicately sutures the graft to each healthy nerve end using ultra-fine microsutures under high magnification. The goal is to create perfect alignment of the fascicles (tiny bundles within the nerve), which allows regenerating axons to grow across the graft over time. In some cases, nerve conduits or biological adhesives are also used to support healing. Once complete, the area is closed in layers and immobilized to protect the repair.
What is Recovery Like After Peripheral Nerve Grafting?
Nerve regeneration is a gradual process. You may experience temporary soreness at the graft and harvest sites, along with swelling or numbness in the area. Downtime depends on the complexity of the procedure and the location of the nerve injury, but most patients require several weeks of rest followed by rehabilitation. Full nerve regrowth can take months, and in some cases, it may take over a year. Dr. Sharma will guide you through each stage of recovery.
To support your recovery, you’ll need to:
- Protect the surgical site with a splint or brace
- Keep the incision area clean and dry
- Attend follow-up visits for monitoring
- Begin physical therapy when recommended
- Avoid strenuous activity until cleared
- Watch for signs of infection or unusual swelling
- Report any new or worsening symptoms immediately
Why Choose Dr. Sharma for Peripheral Nerve Grafting?
Dr. Ketan Sharma is a board-certified hand and nerve surgeon with advanced microsurgical training and extensive experience in treating complex nerve injuries. He performs 600+ nerve procedures each year, making him one of the most experienced peripheral nerve surgeons in the world. With a background from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Sharma offers a level of expertise rarely found in one provider.
Here’s why patients choose Dr. Sharma for peripheral nerve grafting:
- Specializes exclusively in complex nerve and chronic pain cases
- Offers advanced microsurgical techniques using nerve grafts and conduits
- Prioritizes long-term functional recovery and pain relief
- Personally evaluates each patient with an expert physical exam
- Known for excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction
If you’re dealing with nerve damage that hasn’t improved, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sharma to explore whether peripheral nerve grafting is right for you.
