An article in Mayo Clinic Proceedings says the source of nerve damage after hip surgery is not due to mechanical factors caused by surgeons or anesthesiologists, but rather is due to the body's inflammation following the procedure.
Inflammatory neuropathy, a process in which a patient's immune system attacks the patient's nerves, can be treated with immunotherapy, according to a news release.
Mayo Clinic researchers made the discovery through a retrospective study of patients who developed pain or weakness in a leg after undergoing a hip surgery with an absence of documented direct or traction injuries.
"Neuropathy after surgery can significantly affect postsurgical outcomes. The good news is that if we're able to identify patients experiencing postsurgical inflammatory neuropathy, rather than damage caused by a mechanical process, we may be able to provide treatment immediately to mitigate pain and improve overall outcomes," said Nathan Staff, MD, PhD, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic, in the release.
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Inflammatory neuropathy, a process in which a patient's immune system attacks the patient's nerves, can be treated with immunotherapy, according to a news release.
Mayo Clinic researchers made the discovery through a retrospective study of patients who developed pain or weakness in a leg after undergoing a hip surgery with an absence of documented direct or traction injuries.
"Neuropathy after surgery can significantly affect postsurgical outcomes. The good news is that if we're able to identify patients experiencing postsurgical inflammatory neuropathy, rather than damage caused by a mechanical process, we may be able to provide treatment immediately to mitigate pain and improve overall outcomes," said Nathan Staff, MD, PhD, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic, in the release.
More Articles on Quality:
Ethicon Suspends Minimally Invasive Uterine Surgery Equipment
5 Tips for Focusing Infection Control Policies
10 Things to Know About Infection Control