Plastic Reconstructive Surgery for Arm and Leg Weakness, Spinal Cord Injuries, and More in New Jersey and New York

The doctors at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction have unparalleled experience and skill in the field of plastic reconstructive surgery. From reconstructive treatments for arm and leg weakness, to spinal cord injury treatment, to microsurgery, our New Jersey practice can often restore normal function and natural appearance to patients who have suffered disease or injury.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Ventilator Dependency

Patients sustaining injuries to the upper spinal cord from trauma, tumors, or surgery often are unable to breathe on their own, thus requiring mechanical ventilation to sustain their lives. Ventilator dependency imparts a functional restriction on these patients, as they may never again be able to return home or perform activities of daily living. There are surgical procedures that we perform to allow these patients the ability to breathe without the ventilator, thereby restoring a sense of independence and freedom.

Phrenic Nerve Injury

The underlying cause of ventilator dependency is often from injury to the phrenic nerves – the nerves that control contraction of the diaphragm muscles. When these nerves are injured, the diaphragm is paralyzed and is unable to permit expansion and contraction of the lungs for proper spontaneous breathing.

Treatment for Ventilator Dependency

The surgical treatment for ventilator dependency involves placing an electrode around the phrenic nerves to permit stimulation using an electronic pacemaker. The electrodes are connected to an internal receiver that receives stimulus information from an external transmitter. When a stimulating pulse is transmitted, the diaphragm contracts and produces the inhalation phase of breathing. The transmitter signal then stops causing the diaphragm to relax, resulting in the exhalation phase of breathing. Under certain circumstances, the phrenic nerves cannot be paced unless preceded by nerve transfers – connecting nearby functioning nerves to the phrenic nerve - in order to successfully cause diaphragm contraction.

Arm and Leg Reconstruction

If you are experiencing arm and leg weakness after an accident or disease, or if you have a limb with cosmetic problems, arm and leg reconstruction at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction may be able to help you restore the appearance and function of your arm or leg.

Arm and leg weakness can be a sign of a wide variety of different problems. These include damage to muscle, nerve and bone tissues. Our surgeons can rebuild limbs with a variety of plastic reconstructive and microsurgical surgery techniques. Nearly all patients can be benefited by our advanced arm and leg reconstruction techniques. Contact us today if you have been injured or are experiencing arm and leg weakness.

Microsurgery

Microsurgery, or surgery performed with the aid of a microscope, is one of the most complex and difficult areas of medicine. With microsurgery, severed nerves and blood vessels can be reconnected, allowing amputated limbs to be reattached; it can also be used to repair damage caused by treatments for cancer or infection. Our physicians have a great deal of skill and experience in the field of microsurgery, and make use of it in many of the nerve reconstruction procedures they perform, including brachial plexus reconstruction and Bells palsy treatment.