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Peripheral Nerve Conditions

Expert surgical care for a wide range of peripheral nerve conditions

The peripheral nervous system connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, controlling sensation, movement and autonomic functions.

When peripheral nerves become compressed, injured, inflamed or affected by tumours, the result can be debilitating pain, weakness, numbness or functional impairment.

At Coastal Neurosurgery, our experienced team offers advanced surgical care for a wide range of peripheral nerve conditions. Based in North Gosford, we provide patients across the Central Coast with access to expert diagnosis, surgical intervention and multidisciplinary care. Whether managing common nerve entrapments or complex tumours, our goal is always to relieve symptoms, preserve function and improve quality of life.

Below is an overview of the key peripheral nerve conditions we treat.

Compression and Entrapment Neuropathies

Compression or entrapment of peripheral nerves is one of the most common causes of nerve pain and dysfunction. In Australia, carpal tunnel syndrome alone affects up to 3–5% of the population. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent permanent nerve damage.

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist.

  • Symptoms: numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers; hand weakness; night-time symptoms
  • Causes: repetitive hand movements, wrist anatomy, pregnancy, inflammatory conditions
  • Risks: women > men; manual labourers; people with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Treatment: wrist splinting, corticosteroid injection; surgical release if conservative treatment fails

Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

  • Symptoms: numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers; hand weakness; difficulty with fine motor tasks
  • Causes: prolonged elbow flexion, leaning on elbows, prior injury
  • Risks: athletes, manual workers, people with previous fractures
  • Treatment: activity modification, splinting; ulnar nerve decompression surgery if symptoms persist

Compression of the radial nerve in the forearm.

  • Symptoms: pain in the forearm and outer elbow; weakness in wrist and finger extension
  • Causes: repetitive movements, overuse injuries
  • Risks: manual workers, athletes (especially throwing sports)
  • Treatment: physiotherapy, activity modification; surgical decompression in refractory cases

Compression of the tibial nerve at the ankle.

  • Symptoms: burning pain, numbness, tingling in the sole of the foot and toes
  • Causes: flat feet, trauma, swelling, space-occupying lesions
  • Risks: athletes, people with diabetes or inflammatory arthritis
  • Treatment: footwear modification, orthotics, corticosteroid injections; surgical decompression if necessary

Compression of nerves (and sometimes blood vessels) between the neck and shoulder.

  • Symptoms: pain, numbness, weakness in the arm and hand; symptoms may worsen with arm elevation
  • Causes: anatomical variations, trauma, repetitive overhead activity
  • Risks: athletes (swimmers, baseball players), people with poor posture
  • Treatment: physiotherapy, postural correction; surgical decompression in severe or vascular cases

Peripheral Nerve Tumours

Tumours arising from or affecting peripheral nerves are rare but can cause significant symptoms due to nerve compression or infiltration. Coastal Neurosurgery offers precise surgical management to remove tumours while preserving nerve function wherever possible.

Benign tumours of the Schwann cells that insulate peripheral nerves.

  • Symptoms: painless lump, localised pain, numbness or weakness if large
  • Causes: mostly sporadic; occasionally associated with genetic conditions
  • Risks: typically diagnosed in adults aged 20–50
  • Treatment: surgical excision, with careful nerve preservation

Benign tumours of nerve sheath tissue, often involving the nerve itself.

  • Symptoms: soft, painless mass; may cause nerve dysfunction if large
  • Causes: commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1; can occur sporadically
  • Risks: patients with known genetic predisposition
  • Treatment: surgical excision where appropriate; ongoing surveillance in NF1 patients

Aggressive malignant tumours of the peripheral nerve sheath.

  • Symptoms: rapidly growing mass, pain, neurological symptoms
  • Causes: sporadic or in association with neurofibromatosis type 1
  • Risks: patients with NF1; prior radiation therapy
  • Treatment: wide surgical excision; may require adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Peripheral Nerve Pain Syndromes

Chronic pain syndromes can arise from nerve injury, scar tissue formation, or nerve compression. At Coastal Neurosurgery, we offer targeted surgical solutions to help patients regain comfort and quality of life.

Painful growths of nerve tissue following nerve injury or surgery.

  • Symptoms: sharp, shooting pain; hypersensitivity; mass at injury site
  • Causes: surgical trauma, accidental injury, amputation
  • Risks: higher in cases of nerve transection
  • Treatment: surgical excision or nerve repair; neuroma relocation techniques

Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.

  • Symptoms: burning pain, numbness, tingling on the outer thigh
  • Causes: tight clothing, obesity, pregnancy, previous hip surgery
  • Risks: people with obesity, diabetes, or prolonged hip flexion
  • Treatment: weight loss, clothing modification; nerve decompression in persistent cases

Irritation or compression of the occipital nerves in the neck.

  • Symptoms: shooting or throbbing pain at the back of the head and upper neck; scalp sensitivity
  • Causes: trauma, neck tension, nerve entrapment
  • Risks: prior head or neck injury, chronic muscle tension
  • Treatment: nerve blocks, physiotherapy; occipital nerve decompression in refractory cases

At Coastal Neurosurgery, we understand how profoundly peripheral nerve conditions can affect your daily life — from limiting your ability to work and enjoy activities, to causing distressing pain or disability.

Our team combines advanced microsurgical techniques with an empathetic approach, guiding patients through diagnosis, surgical treatment and recovery. Our commitment is to helping you regain comfort, mobility and function — with the expertise you can trust, right here on the Central Coast.

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Expert Neurosurgical and Spinal Surgical Care on the Central Coast

Coastal Neurosurgery is a multidisciplinary clinic with a dedicated focus on brain, spine and pain.

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