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Neuroma Surgery Specialist

Anthony Echo, MD Our Services Neuroma Surgery
Anthony Echo, MD - - Plastic Surgeon

Anthony Echo, MD

Plastic Surgeon & Reconstructive Surgeon located in Houston, TX

A neuroma is an abnormal growth of nerve cells that develops after an injury. The ball-shaped cluster of nerves can cause severe pain. Fellowship-trained peripheral surgeon, Anthony Echo, MD, with offices in Houston Methodist Hospital and the Willowbrook neighborhood of Houston, Texas, performs neuroma surgery to remove the abnormal cluster of nerves and alleviate symptoms. To schedule an evaluation, call the office nearest you or request an appointment through the online booking tool.

Neuroma Surgery Q&A

What is a neuroma?

A neuroma is a cluster of abnormal nerve cells that develop after an injury. They occur when a nerve is partially or completely disrupted after being stretched, cut, or crushed. 

Many surgeons miss neuromas after the trauma or completing the surgery.

The injured nerve creates a ball-shaped mass at the site of the injury that may cause various symptoms such as:

  • Painful scar
  • Sharp, stabbing, electric shock-like pain
  • Areas which are extremely painful to touch
  • Phantom limb pain

A painful scar is the most common symptom of a neuroma. If you have a painful scar that lasts months after a surgical procedure or injury and pain medications fail to alleviate your discomfort, then you may have a neuroma. 

How is a neuroma diagnosed?

Dr. Echo performs a nerve block to diagnose a neuroma. During the in-clinic procedure, he injects a local anesthetic into the neuroma. He can diagnose your neuroma within five to 10 minutes after the injection and whether the pain is amenable for surgery.  

What is neuroma surgery?

Neuroma surgery addresses a wide range of symptoms and there are different treatment options. During neuroma surgery, Dr. Echo explores the nerve. Some nerves are very small — no bigger than a piece of string — but can still cause significant pain. 

Once Dr. Echo identifies the injured nerve, he removes it. He then either reconstructs the nerve with a nerve graft or performs a:

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR)

During TMR, Dr. Echo transfers the injured proximal nerve stump to a terminal nerve branch in your muscle. The nerve branch then regenerates into the terminal nerve to prevent a recurrence of the neuroma.

Regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI)

During the RPNI, Dr. Echo places muscle grafts on the proximal nerve stump to help regenerate the injured nerve and prevent the neuroma. 

What happens after neuroma surgery?

After neuroma surgery, you may continue to experience pain, but the type of pain is different and less severe and debilitating. It can take six to 12 months for the nerve pain to completely settle down. 

To learn more about your surgical treatment options for a painful neuroma, call Anthony Echo, MD, or book online today.

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