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 * Patient Care
   
   
   * * * PATIENT CARE
         
         
         CONDITIONS & TREATMENT
         
         Our specialties provide access to the latest techniques and solutions
         developed through innovative research, and a multidisciplinary team
         with expertise in the latest medicine, technology and treatments.
         
         Learn More About Patient Care
     * * 
       * Aesthetic Surgery
         * Abdominoplasty
         * Breast Augmentation
         * Breast Reduction
         * Facelift
         * Male Aesthetic Surgery
         * Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
         * Rhinoplasty
       * Breast Reconstruction Surgery
       * Craniofacial Surgery
       * Gender Affirmation Surgery
       * General Reconstructive Surgery
       * Hand Surgery
         * WALANT Hand Surgery
       * Limb Preservation
       * Lymphedema
       * Nerve Surgery
         * Facial Paralysis
         * Spinal Cord Injury
       * Pediatric Plastic Surgery
         * Pediatric Facial Paralysis
     * *  * Schedule an Appointment
          * Plan Your Visit
          * Our Faculty / Surgeons
          * Contact Us
 * Research
   
   
   * * * RESEARCH
         
         
         INNOVATION & DISCOVERY
         
         Our ambitious scientists and surgeons are at the forefront of discovery
         in every subspecialty of plastic surgery, working to bring their latest
         findings from lab bench to patient bedside.
         
         Learn More About Research
     
     
     * * OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
       
       * Research Team
       * In the Lab
     
     * * At the forefront of discovery in every subspecialty of plastic surgery
         – bringing our latest findings from bench to bedside.
       
       * 
       *  * About the Division
          * Clinical Research Labs
          * Basic & Traditional Research Labs
          * Clinical Trials
 * Education
   
   
   * * * EDUCATION
         
         
         RESIDENCY & FELLOWSHIPS
         
         We are internationally recognized for teaching expertise and robust
         research programs that shape the future of patient care. We train
         rising surgeons in every pathology in plastic surgery, preparing them
         to become tomorrow’s leaders in plastic surgery.
         
         Learn More About Education
     * * Residency
         * Welcome from the Residency Program Director
         * Didactics
         * Integrated Clinical Training
         * Our Residents
       * Hand Surgery Fellowship
       * Microsurgery Fellowship
       * Peripheral Nerve Fellowship
       * Student Programs
     
     * * Our highly specialized plastic surgery programs include a broad scope
         of patient care.
       
       * 
       *  * About the Division
          * Our Faculty / Surgeons
          * Our Residents
 * About the Division
   * * 
     * * Our Faculty / Surgeons
       * Our History
       * News & Updates
       * Contact Us
       * Appointments
         * Virtual Visits
       * Refer a Patient
         * Request an Appointment Form
       * I Want To...
         * Find a Doctor
         * Find a Location
         * Find Conditions & Treatments
         * Find Residency Programs
         * Find Fellowships
         * Find Sub-Internship Programs
         * Learn about Research
         * Learn About the Division
         * Read News & Updates
         * Refer a Patient
     * 




 * Patient Care
   * Aesthetic Surgery
   * Breast Reconstruction Surgery
   * Craniofacial Surgery
   * Gender Affirmation Surgery
   * General Reconstructive Surgery
   * Hand Surgery
   * Limb Preservation
   * Lymphedema
   * Nerve Surgery
   * Pediatric Plastic Surgery
 * Nerve Surgery
   * Facial Paralysis
   * Spinal Cord Injury


NERVE SURGERY

 * Overview
 * Nerve Regeneration
 * Nerve Surgery
 * Conditions & Treatments
 * Why Choose Us?
 * What to Expect

Nerve injuries and disorders range widely in their complexity, as do the
treatments available to lessen pain and restore mobility. Injuries to the
peripheral nerve system—nerves in the shoulders, arms and legs, for example—are
common and can be caused by a variety of factors. Some nerve disorders can
affect muscles and result in loss of sensation, paralysis and pain.




OVERVIEW

Many people who seek relief from a nerve disorder are in pain that can be
debilitating, affecting every aspect of life.  We work with these kinds of
injuries with our pain management colleagues who are specifically trained to
treat nerve injuries and disorders. We offer treatment that is tailored to each
patient’s specific condition and performed by specialists who excel in technical
expertise and compassionate care. Your surgeon will work to gain a thorough
understanding of your condition and offer treatment options that can help
alleviate pain and restore mobility.




NERVE REGENERATION

After injury, a nerve will try to repair itself by sprouting in regenerating
nerve units. These regenerating units will then try to restore function to any
affected muscle or skin, a process called reinnervation. When these nerves make
a correct connection, the body is able to recover muscle function and skin
sensation, if lost, is likely to return. But if the regenerating nerve fibers do
not make a correct connection, the injury does not heal.

Nerves regenerate at a rate of about one inch per month. Although it is possible
to regain sensation after nerve supply depletion (called denervation), muscle
reinnervation will not occur after long periods of time without nerve
innervation (nerve supply). In other words, the more quickly an injured nerve is
reconnected to muscle, the more likely it is that recovery will take place. Our
specialists may use tests called electrodiagnostics (EDX) or electromyography
(EMG) to test muscle recovery over a period of time. If the nerve-muscle
connection doesn’t occur in three to six months following an injury, your
specialist may discuss surgical treatment with you.




NERVE SURGERY

If surgery is the best treatment option for you, you will likely have one of the
following types of surgery: nerve repair, nerve graft, nerve transfer,
neurolysis or tendon transfer. Again, your specialist will talk with you about
the treatment best suited to your condition.

To foster nerve regeneration, nerve fibers need to be guided to the appropriate
muscle or sensory unit. If the nerve has been cut, a nerve repair procedure is
used to reattach the two ends of the nerve. This works best when the nerve has
been cut sharply and cleanly. When there is more extensive injury and the nerve
ends can’t be reconnected, a surgery called nerve graft may be a more suitable
option.

In a nerve graft, a small piece of donor nerve is used to bridge the gap between
the two nerve ends; the damaged nerve will then regenerate across the graft to
provide recovery. The nerve graft, using small, non-critical sensor nerves, is
taken from another part of the body. If the nerve injury gap is small, then a
cadaver nerve may be used.

Nerve transfers are slightly different than nerve grafts. In severe injuries,
recovery may not be anticipated for a very long period of time. Rather than
grafting a nerve from another place on the body, nerve transfers make use of a
nerve closer to the point of injury, allowing for more efficient recovery.

Sometimes scar tissue will form around the injured nerve and prevent it from
regenerating. A procedure called neurolysis can remove scarring and thus
encourage the nerve to heal properly.




CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS

Our nationally recognized surgeons are dedicated to focusing on your unique
nerve surgery needs and the following conditions:

 * Brachial plexus injuries
 * Nerve injuries
 * Carpal tunnel
 * Cubital tunnel
 * Radial, median, ulnar, femoral, peroneal and tibial nerve injuries
 * Neurofibromatosis
 * Cervical-level spinal cord injury
 * Quadriplegia
 * Tetraplegia
 * Foot drop
 * Complex regional pain syndrome
 * Pain from neuromas or nerve injuries
 * Other peripheral nerve disorders

 * Thoracic outlet syndrome
 * Brachial plexus
 * Cumulative trauma disorder
 * Facial palsy
 * Melanoma and sarcoma nerve compression
 * Phantom pain
 * Neuroma pain
 * Migraines
 * Nerve repair
 * Nerve graft
 * Nerve transfer
 * Neurolysis


IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL VISITS

Request an Appointment



WHY CHOOSE US?

Our team of nerve-injury specialists are associated with The Washington
University Center for Nerve Injury and Paralysis, which cares for people with
nerve and peripheral nerve injuries and disorders. The Center was established by
Susan Mackinnon, MD, the Center’s director, who performed the world’s first
donor nerve transplant, a procedure that can repair nerves in limbs that
previously were considered irreparable. She also popularized the field of nerve
transfer surgery.

We offer what often are life-changing advanced surgical techniques, including
grafting and nerve transfer procedures for severe nerve injuries. Our plastic
and reconstructive surgeons work with neurosurgeons, neurologists and therapists
to achieve the best results for the people who come to us for care.




WHAT TO EXPECT

Once you request an appointment, our scheduling team will call you to schedule
your initial consultation with a nerve specialist.

Because our surgeons are trained and experienced in all aspects of nerve
surgery, we can offer comprehensive treatments tailored to children and adults.
If your condition requires surgical reconstruction, we will discuss with you the
various options available, including their benefits and risks.  And we will work
with you to determine the treatment plan for your specific needs, ensuring that
you understand the plan and can feel confident about the decisions you make.


 * Overview
 * Nerve Regeneration
 * Nerve Surgery
 * Conditions & Treatments
 * Why Choose Us?
 * What to Expect


PATIENT RESOURCES

 * Plan Your Visit
 * Facial Paralysis
 * Spinal Cord Injury


TREATMENT TEAM


KELLY CURRIE, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Associate Director, Plastic Surgery Residency Program
Schedule an Appointment
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KELLY CURRIE, MD




IDA K. FOX, MD

Director, Hand Surgery Fellowship Program, Professor of Surgery
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


IDA K. FOX, MD




AMY KELLS, MD, PHD

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


AMY KELLS, MD, PHD




SUSAN E. MACKINNON, MD

Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Plastic Surgery
Schedule an Appointment
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SUSAN E. MACKINNON, MD




JUSTIN M SACKS, MD, MBA, FACS

Chief, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Sydney M. Jr. and Robert H. Shoenberg Chair
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


JUSTIN M SACKS, MD, MBA, FACS




ALISON SNYDER-WARWICK, MD

Director, Plastic Surgery Residency Program
Associate Professor of Surgery
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


ALISON SNYDER-WARWICK, MD




SHOICHIRO TANAKA, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Surgery
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SHOICHIRO TANAKA, MD, MPH




THOMAS H. TUNG, MD

Professor of Surgery
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THOMAS H. TUNG, MD




LAUREN BAYENS, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner
Schedule an Appointment
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LAUREN BAYENS, RN, MSN, FNP-C




MCKENNA BUCHHEIT (ROBERTS), MMS, PA-C

Physician Assistant
Schedule an Appointment
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MCKENNA BUCHHEIT (ROBERTS), MMS, PA-C




ALLISON FRENCH, PA-C

Physician Assistant
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


ALLISON FRENCH, PA-C




ASHLEY TITCHENAL, MSN, AGPCNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner
Schedule an Appointment
View Profile


ASHLEY TITCHENAL, MSN, AGPCNP-BC


LOCATIONS


BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL

Center for Advanced Medicine
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center

Map & Directions
View Website


DIVISION OF PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

 * About the Division
 * Our Faculty / Surgeons
 * Our History
 * News & Updates
 * Contact Us


PATIENT CARE

 * Conditions & Treatment
 * Appointments
 * Plan Your Visit
 * Locations
 * Refer a Patient


RESEARCH

 * Excellence & Innovation
 * Research Team
 * In the Lab


EDUCATION

 * Education
 * Integrated Residency
 * Hand Surgery Fellowship
 * Microsurgery Fellowship
 * Peripheral Nerve Fellowship
 * Student Programs

Schedule An Appointment
Find A Location


Give To WashU

 * View our Facebook page.
 * View our Twitter page.
 * View our Instagram page.
 * View our YouTube page.

 * Patient Care
   * Patient Care
   * * 
     * * 
       
       
       * PATIENT CARE
         
         
         CONDITIONS & TREATMENT
         
         Our specialties provide access to the latest techniques and solutions
         developed through innovative research, and a multidisciplinary team
         with expertise in the latest medicine, technology and treatments.
         
         Learn More About Patient Care
     * * 
       * 
       * Aesthetic Surgery
         * Aesthetic Surgery
         * Abdominoplasty
         * Breast Augmentation
         * Breast Reduction
         * Facelift
         * Male Aesthetic Surgery
         * Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss
         * Rhinoplasty
       * Breast Reconstruction Surgery
       * Craniofacial Surgery
       * Gender Affirmation Surgery
       * General Reconstructive Surgery
       * Hand Surgery
         * Hand Surgery
         * WALANT Hand Surgery
       * Limb Preservation
       * Lymphedema
       * Nerve Surgery
         * Nerve Surgery
         * Facial Paralysis
         * Spinal Cord Injury
       * Pediatric Plastic Surgery
         * Pediatric Plastic Surgery
         * Pediatric Facial Paralysis
     * * 
       *  * Schedule an Appointment
          * Plan Your Visit
          * Our Faculty / Surgeons
          * Contact Us
 * Research
   * Research
   * * 
     * * 
       
       
       * RESEARCH
         
         
         INNOVATION & DISCOVERY
         
         Our ambitious scientists and surgeons are at the forefront of discovery
         in every subspecialty of plastic surgery, working to bring their latest
         findings from lab bench to patient bedside.
         
         Learn More About Research
     * * 
       
       
       * OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
       
       * Research Team
       * In the Lab
     * * 
       
       * At the forefront of discovery in every subspecialty of plastic surgery
         – bringing our latest findings from bench to bedside.
       
       * 
       *  * About the Division
          * Clinical Research Labs
          * Basic & Traditional Research Labs
          * Clinical Trials
 * Education
   * Education
   * * 
     * * 
       
       
       * EDUCATION
         
         
         RESIDENCY & FELLOWSHIPS
         
         We are internationally recognized for teaching expertise and robust
         research programs that shape the future of patient care. We train
         rising surgeons in every pathology in plastic surgery, preparing them
         to become tomorrow’s leaders in plastic surgery.
         
         Learn More About Education
     * * 
       * Residency
         * Residency
         * Welcome from the Residency Program Director
         * Didactics
         * Integrated Clinical Training
         * Our Residents
       * Hand Surgery Fellowship
       * Microsurgery Fellowship
       * Peripheral Nerve Fellowship
       * Student Programs
     * * 
       
       * Our highly specialized plastic surgery programs include a broad scope
         of patient care.
       
       * 
       *  * About the Division
          * Our Faculty / Surgeons
          * Our Residents
 * About the Division
   * About the Division
   * * 
     * 
     * * 
       * Our Faculty / Surgeons
       * Our History
       * News & Updates
       * Contact Us
       * Appointments
         * Appointments
         * Virtual Visits
       * Refer a Patient
         * Refer a Patient
         * Request an Appointment Form
       * I Want To...
         * I Want To...
         * Find a Doctor
         * Find a Location
         * Find Conditions & Treatments
         * Find Residency Programs
         * Find Fellowships
         * Find Sub-Internship Programs
         * Learn about Research
         * Learn About the Division
         * Read News & Updates
         * Refer a Patient
     * 

 * MyChart
 * Request Appointment
 * Make a Gift

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