Question 1

can they do a nerve transplant?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Nerve transplants are being done, but they have some risks involved.

Question 2

is there such a thing as a  nerve transplant?

Accepted Answer

We working on it: These are more rare types of transplants with varying success rates.  These have been done at select centers and they are done as part of an arm transplants.  Isolated nerve transplants are still in development.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: nerve transplant?

Accepted Answer

One of yours used: Usually these r done using a piece on a nerve yu not need and harvested from u and used 2 bridge a gap between severed ends of a nerve to large 2 repair end to end.

As opposed to a transposition where your nerve is move to a new location near by as in ulnr nerve transposition.

Question 4

whats the current status of nerve transplant experimentation?

Accepted Answer

Advancing quickly: Though very few nerves have been transplanted in isolation, about 100 hands have been transplanted; nerve function in these cases has been very good.

Question 5

are there nerve transplant procedures for trauma patients?

Accepted Answer

Yes but slow healing: Yes there are. If a nerve is damaged, it is sometimes possible to replace part of it with a nerve from another area. This is called a cable graft. 

Nerves are very slow to heal, so it takes quite a bit of time to see results, and the function is never as good as the original. Plus, the area used to donate the nerve then lacks some function.

Question 6

is there an optic nerve transplant?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time: It is not yet possible to transplant the optic nerve or eye. Research was done in the 1990s in this area, but there have been no positive results to date. It doesn't appear that this will be possible in the near future, either.

Question 7

optic nerve crushed, optic nerve transplant?

Accepted Answer

No recourse: A crushed optic nerve (how did this happen to you?) causes permanent changes which will alter the vision sometimes severely.  There is currently no treatment known for this and a transplant is not possible.  A discussion with a neuro-ophthalmologist would be helpful in this situation.

Question 8

why can't you do an opic nerve transplant for blindness?

Accepted Answer

Currently impossible: The optic nerve has over a million precisely aligned fibers.  No technique can cause a single nerve to reconnect.  To transplant an optic nerve would require these over a million fibers each to reconnect and in the precise manner.  This is the same problem as the unfortunate folks who have severed their spinal column and are paralyzed.  Much work needs to be done in this arena.

Question 9

will a nerve transplant in my arm cure my rsd? i'm recovering from an incomplete sci and i'm not sure if the radial and ulner nerve are damaged. i also would like to know what type of doctor deals with damaged nerves and rsd? its going on a year and i hav

Accepted Answer

You : You may want to seek out a hand surgeon affiliated with a large medical center where additional resources are available.

Question 10

nerve transplants possible in the next 10 years?

Accepted Answer

Nerve transplants: Yes quite possible. The biggest issue is coverage. Right now where we are heading is toward rationed care, expensive services will be restricted. If transplants are expensive and successful in less than 50% of cases they will likely not be covered.  Pt will be needed after and this is already being restricted under obamacare to 24 sessions unless a new problem arises.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Nerve transplant

A member asked:

Can they do a nerve transplant?

A member asked:

Is there such a thing as a nerve transplant?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: nerve transplant?

A member asked:

Whats the current status of nerve transplant experimentation?

A member asked:

Are there nerve transplant procedures for trauma patients?

A member asked:

Is there an optic nerve transplant?

A member asked:

Optic nerve crushed, optic nerve transplant?

A member asked:

Why can't you do an opic nerve transplant for blindness?

A member asked:

Will a nerve transplant in my arm cure my rsd? i'm recovering from an incomplete sci and i'm not sure if the radial and ulner nerve are damaged. i also would like to know what type of doctor deals with damaged nerves and rsd? its going on a year and i hav

A member asked:

Nerve transplants possible in the next 10 years?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?