Complex Peripheral Nerve Surgery Solves Chronic Pain Problem
Nerve surgery may help
Marilyn came to see Dr. Tollestrup for a complicated peripheral nerve pain problem. Dr. Tollestrup performed a tedious peripheral nerve surgery which fixed her issue permanently. This is her story,
For many years, Marilyn’s ankle was swollen. When she bumped her ankle, she would feel a painful electric shock sensation radiating down into her foot. A CT scan showed a tumor involving the right posterior tibial nerve.
The preliminary diagnosis was a schwannoma, a tumor found in peripheral nerves. Schwannomas are usually benign. But because they are located in peripheral nerves, schwannomas can cause significant nerve pain and weakness.
When a schwannoma grows inside a nerve, the rest of the nerve fibers end up plastered to the outside of the tumor kind of like spaghetti stuck to the outside of a balloon. This can make surgery to remove the tumor difficult.
With this diagnosis in mind, Dr. Tollestrup brought Marilyn to the operating room.
First, he decompressed nerves in the medial ankle area. Using an overhead operating microscope, he then carefully dissected the tumor out of Marilyn’s tibial nerve without injuring any of the other important nerve fibers.
The surgery was a complete success! Marilyn no longer has to endure the sharp, shooting pains in her ankle. Additionally, Dr. Tollestrup was also able to preserve normal sensation to the bottom of Marylin’s right foot.
Here is what Marilyn had to say about her experience. Take a listen here.
If you or someone you know has a peripheral nerve injury or pain of an undiagnosed peripheral nerve origin, Dr. Tollestrup may be able to help. Please fill out a form on the right or call the office at 702-666-0463.