Practice News

Nerve Decompression Surgery is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure performed to relieve the symptoms of neuropathy and reduce the risk of amputation – a common side effect associated with Diabetes.  It is an outpatient procedure that involves three small incisions, lasts approximately an hour and a half and is accepted by most insurance companies. Most patients are back to basic activities in two to three weeks. In addition to the surgery providing immediate relief to the patient, postoperative discomfort is minimal, and results are long-lasting, almost never requiring a second procedure.  In 75% of properly selected patients there will be a significant increase in sensation, and decrease in pain.  

“The success of this procedure and its ability to improve a patient’s quality of life are truly remarkable – especially given the conventional belief that there isn’t an existing treatment for neuropathy.  As medical research and technological advancements further improve the field of diabetic neuropathy, ideally patients will undergo surgery before developing complications such as pain, ulcerations, and amputations.” – Dr. Michael Rose, MD

About the procedure

Decompression surgery has been performed for more than 15 years to relieve pressure on the peripheral nerves as they pass through three different passageways or tunnels on their way to each extremity.  By releasing the swollen, damaged nerve, doctors allow room for the nerve to “breathe” and remove compression.  In addition to restoring sensation and reducing pain, the surgery also reduces the future occurrence of ulcers or amputations to nearly zero. Dr. Michael Rose, MD is among a select group of surgeons to perform the procedure.

Who is a candidate for surgery?

• Have neuropathy
• Have good enough circulation to allow for surgery
• Are in good enough health to undergo the surgery
• Have been examined for a “Tinel Sign,” which indicates to the doctor that the nerve will respond to surgery

Surgery Success

The success of this procedure and its ability to improve a patient’s quality of life are truly remarkable.  While the procedure is most often used to treat neuropathy from diabetes, it will also relieve the symptoms of neuropathy from many other causes such as alcoholism, lead poisoning and chemotherapy. Ideally patients will undergo surgery before developing complications such as pain, ulcerations and amputations.

How to avoid neuropathy:

Blood glucose testing → participate in physical activities → choosing the right foods 

The best way to prevent neuropathy is to keep blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible.  Maintaining safe blood glucose levels protects nerves throughout the body. 

For more information, please visit www.advancedreconstruction.com or call The Plastic Surgery Center at (866) 263.9123.

SHREWSBURY, N.J. – February 08, 2010 – The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that an innovative nerve graft transplant performed by Dr. Andrew Elkwood has proven to be successful in treating and preventing posterior pressure ulcers – one of the leading causes of mortality among paraplegics. 49-year old Tory Cavalieri, who underwent the procedure last January, has regained sensation in his posterior and is free of acute pressure sores, which had left him bedridden for years.

“We are absolutely thrilled with Tory’s results and the incredible implications for the wheelchair-bound community at large,” said Dr. Elkwood.  “The success of this procedure can prove to be life-changing for tens of thousands of people worldwide whose lives are subjugated by acute posterior sores.”  

The nerve graft, which was performed by Dr. Elkwood in January 2009, was intended to restore sensation to the posterior of Mr. Cavalieri, who suffered from acute pressure sores.  As part of the two-hour procedure, Dr. Elkwood and his team removed 12 inches of functioning sural nerve from Mr. Cavalieri’s leg and attached a nerve from his rib area to the sciatic nerve in his leg.  Mr. Cavalieri, of Morganville, N.J., had become paralyzed after breaking his spinal cord in a motorcycle accident on Labor Day weekend 2004.  He was previously a competitive Motorcross racer for more than 12 years, and a former NASCAR-licensed, late-model stock car driver.

About The Plastic Surgery Center

Dr. Elkwood is part of the medical team at the Plastic Surgery Center, which is located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and comprised of a group of surgeons who are highly skilled in nerve transplantation and advanced reconstruction. They perform a number of unique operations to help patients suffering from life-altering medical conditions who are often unaware that a treatment is available. Some of these conditions that the Plastic Surgery Center treats include:

•  Paralysis resulting from accidents and strokes
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Paralyzed diaphragm/ventilator-based breathing
• Facial reanimation
• Nerve decompression for migraine headaches

 For further information, please visit www.advancedreconstruction.com.

NJ RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEONS NAMED TO EDITORIAL BOARD OF JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD MEDICINE

SHREWSBURY, NJ – August 13, 2009 – The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that Dr. Andrew Elkwood and Dr. Matthew Kaufman have been named to the Editorial Board of the American Paraplegia Society’s Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine,

“Dr. Elkwood and I are honored to be selected to serve on the board of this influential publication,

For Immediate Release

NEW JERSEY SURGEON RESTORES DIAPHRAGM FUNCTION TO 43-YEAR OLD PATIENT AFTER TEN-YEARS OF BREATHING PROBLEMS

First Known Case in which Nerve Decompression Stimulates Movement in Phrenic Nerve

SHREWSBURY, NJ – June 24, 2009 –The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that Dr. Matthew Kaufman restored breathing function to a 43-year old man who suffered from paralysis in the diaphragm for over ten years.

In the first known case of its kind, Dr. Kaufman utilized a rare procedure known as phrenic nerve decompression, in which he removed scar tissue from the site of a prior injury.  By releasing pressure caused by the scar tissue, the phrenic nerve, which controls movement in the diaphragm, had the space to resume function.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this rare procedure, particularly considering that reversing paralysis from an old injury is extraordinarily unusual and this patient endured breathing paralysis for over a decade,

For Immediate Release

NEW JERSEY SURGEON RESTORES SENSATION AND FUNCTION IN ARMS AND LEGS OF 23-YEAR OLD WOMAN

Victim of Bacterial Meningitis Left Paralyzed in Extremities; Overcame 80% Chance of Death

Doctor Applied Rare Surgical Procedure to Spare Nerve Function and Artificial Skin to Heal Wounds

SHREWSBURY, NJ – June 24, 2009 –The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that Dr. Matthew Kaufman enabled a 23-year old woman to restore sensation in her feet and function in her hands, by utilizing several rare medical procedures.

Several months ago, the Freehold, New Jersey native contracted a case of bacterial meningitis for which she was admitted emergently to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. The illness caused such acute edema (swelling) that the patient was paralyzed in her arms and legs. Additionally, she suffered from severe skin wounds and lost sensation in her feet.

To restore function in the arms and feet, Dr. Kaufman performed a procedure known as nerve decompression, which alleviates pressure surrounding the nerves.  He also applied artificial skin to heal the wounds.

“We are very pleased with the patient’s progress, as she has already begun to use her hands and reports feeling in her feet,