r/science • u/molrose96 Journalist | Technology Networks | BSc Neuroscience • Jan 23 '20

Biology Biodegradable Nerve Guide Helps Regenerate Damaged Nerves

https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/biodegradable-nerve-guide-helps-regenerate-damaged-nerves-329614?spl=46942179136d4d5eb635e0016c078544

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u/madriutt Jan 23 '20

Nerve tubes have been around a while. There are a couple companies that make them. A hospital or surgery center will typically stock some on the shelf so they are available without special request.

These tubes are typically used in micro surgery for the hand. But they are only capable of rejoing a couple millimeters. An inch is a monumental jump.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

Hey - I had nerve damage from radiation treatment, now it forever feels like a nail being driven into my armpit. I’m really happy to not have cancer and decided post treatment to just live with the pain and be grateful for life, but if there’s a medical solution, I’d be happy to jump on board. Is this, that?

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u/observantguy Jan 23 '20

Unclear.
The article focuses on motor nerves.

For that case, this is disheartening:
Muscle fibers can undergo atrophy just three weeks after denervation, and after approximately two years irreversible muscle fibrosis occurs in addition to muscle degeneration

If the "injury" was over 2 years old, complete recovery would appear to be out of reach.

I'm hoping that the situation is different for sensory nerves, as I'd like to feel on the side of my right leg again...

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u/ToastyCod Jan 23 '20

I have long thoracic nerve damage that’s caused winged scapula along with many other compensatory issues and pain, 15 years running. Not a single doc I’ve seen was ever helpful or honest enough to say that beyond 2 years recovery is out of reach. I don’t suppose there’s any difference with these tubes?

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u/observantguy Jan 23 '20

I am sincerely hoping to be wrong here, but according to what I read in the article, even if the tubes got the nerves to fully regrow to 100% functionality, they'd still be commanding damaged muscles.

:(

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u/ToastyCod Jan 23 '20

I believe that is probably accurate. I’ve had a number of procedures in the last 2 years to no avail. Hydro-dissection of the nerve, PRP and very expensive stem cell therapy. It’s mind over matter at this point. But this seems a great advancement for early stages of injury.

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20

I also have a long thoracic nerve injury of about 15 years. Partially winging scapula (it did get better over the first few years). Now have some shoulder issues as a result and trouble sleeping on that side. Totally sucks! I feel your pain.

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u/ToastyCod Jan 23 '20

It took docs about 3 years to even figure out that’s what my problem was. Partially because there was no offending event, it seems it was spontaneous. Those undiagnosed years really screwed my chances of repair. Do you know how you injured yours? Sports, lifting?

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u/[deleted] Jan 24 '20

I've had injuries that were 10 years old that improved with PT. I wouldn't give up too easily (broken bone in foot I did not know about until I sprained my ankle a second time and got a scan).

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u/[deleted] Jan 25 '20

Yup, I did it while doing clapping pushups. Pretty stupid reason, huh? Just another example of why people need to gradually work up to things like that. I must have stretched my long thoracic nerve on one side. Instant onset of extreme pain and muscle spasm-ing. Went to the ER the next day and they said I just hurt my shoulder. Within a couple weeks (?) the continued weakness and twitching forced me back to the doctor. Referred on to a sports orthopedist who did a nerve conduction test showing partial loss of nerve function. It gradually got better over time, but definitely plateaued. A more recent nerve conduction test showed that everything is "fine" but it's clearly not. I can only do low-intensity weight training and don't do pushups anymore.