A Mayo Clinic study found that nerve inflammation may cause the pain, numbness and weakness following surgical procedures that is known as postsurgical neuropathy. The development of post-surgical neuropathies is typically attributed to compression or stretching of nerves during surgery. This new research shows that, in some cases, the neuropathy is actually caused by the immune system attacking the nerves and is potentially treatable with immunosuppressive drugs.
The study was published in this month’s issue of BRAIN. An abstract from this study also was presented at the 2010 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.
In the video below, P. James B. Dyck, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, describes the study.
I had a successful back fusion in Las Vegas on May 16th, 2011. Within a day or two, I expressed that I was having difficulty getting a deep breath and my surgeon ordered a chest x-ray and then 2 days later, a CT Scan. Both showed no problem. We will forward 4-5 weeks and I saw a Pulmolnologist. After performaing poorly on a breathing test, another chest x-ray was performed and it showed that I had a paralyzed diaphragm. Now after seeing a bunch of doctors and even returning to the hospital, I traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona to see if they could get to the bottom of this. I cannot get a deep breath still and after a battery of tests, Dr. Benn E. Smith felt I had Post surgical Inflammatory Neuropathy and referred me to your article. I was scheduled to begin treatment in Az, but opted to come back home to Vegas and research more and will more than likely do the treatments here. My insurance already authorized. If possible, I’d like for you to look at my medical report. I felt very confident in Dr. Smith’s prognosis, but would like you to review. I can be reached at 702-897-5025, cell 702-232-2708. Thank you.
Dear Barry, Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. We have attached this link to our appointment desk including the Arizona information. Thank you. http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientinfo/appointments.html