Elderly Patient Scores Successful Surgery for Rare Nerve Condition: Journey from Paderborn to Oschersleben Led by Specialist Dr. med. Hans-Georg Damert
Birgit J., a 64-year-old woman from Paderborn, has successfully undergone a life-changing operation that will allow her to use both her hands again after more than half a year. The operation, performed by Dr. Hans-Georg Damert, Chief Physician of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery/Hand Surgery at the Helios Börde Clinic in Oschersleben, utilized an innovative endoscopic method that is only available in a few specialized centers in Germany.
Birgit J. was diagnosed with Nervus Interosseus-anterior Syndrome, also known as the Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome. This rare condition is caused by injury or compression of the anterior interosseous nerve, a branch of the median nerve, primarily affecting motor function without sensory loss. Symptoms include weakness or paralysis of specific muscles, such as the flexor pollicis longus (which flexes the thumb), the lateral half of the flexor digitorum profundus (which flexes the index and sometimes the middle finger), and the pronator quadratus (which assists in forearm pronation).
Everyday activities like grasping with thumb and index finger, opening a bottle, eating with a knife and fork, or typing on a keyboard become challenging for patients with this syndrome. In Birgit J.'s case, she could not form an 'O' shape with her thumb and index finger, a phenomenon known as the 'Circle Sign'. Despite undergoing several doctor's visits and diagnoses, conservative therapies like physiotherapy did not help Birgit J., and her nerve did not recover spontaneously, making an operation necessary.
Dr. Damert's studies, along with his team, confirm the precise localization of the nerve path, which is crucial for a successful operation. The endoscopic method used in the operation offers advantages such as fewer scars, less pain, and faster recovery compared to open operations. This technique requires deep anatomical knowledge and only needs a 3-4 cm access point, unlike open techniques that require up to 15 cm long skin incisions.
Following the approximately one-hour operation, Birgit J. began to see improvements in her movement, and her wish is to be able to knit, hike, and enjoy daily life without restrictions again soon. The photo credit for the captioned image of Dr. Damert with his patient Birgit J. is Helios Clinics.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of Nervus Interosseus-anterior Syndrome, prompt evaluation and possibly electromyography (EMG) can help confirm the diagnosis and guide further management. Treatment options range from conservative management like rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy to surgical intervention if necessary.
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- The success of Birgit J.'s operation has sparked interest in the field of other medical-conditions, particularly those that require innovative surgical methods for treatment.
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