Nerves are fragile and can be damaged by pressure, stretching or cutting. Injury to a nerve can stop signals to and from the brain causing muscles not to work properly, and loss of feeling in the injured area.

To fix a cut nerve, the insulation around both ends of the nerve is sewn together. If a wound is dirty or crushed, your physician may wait to operate until the skin has healed. If there is a space between the ends of the nerve, the doctor may need to take a piece of nerve from another part of the body to fix the injured nerve. This is called a nerve graft.

After surgery, the nerve generally begins to heal in three or four weeks. The feeling of pins and needles in the fingertips is common during the recovery process. While this can be uncomfortable, it usually passes and is a sign of recovery.

The surgeons and staff at The Face & Body Center are available to discuss any questions you may have by calling 866-939-4999 or 939-9999 in the Jackson Metro Area.