--as the others here have said, is really only now for very special diagnostic suspicions and indications.

Because of those indications it should also involve a biopsy of muscle tissue as well.

In general, at the very least, it will leave some areas of patchy numbness. That may be worth tolerating if you get a definitive diagnosis and a treatment plan. But, some have reported the standard post-operative complications of surgery (infection, etc.) and the fact that the doctor has a suspicion but doesn't want to tell you is rather disquieting.

Take a look at this--it's a very comprehensive look at how/why a nerve/muscle biopsy might be performed:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nother/bx.html

A lot of the more common diagnoses, though, might be made with other testing. In my estimation, only a few of the diagnoses listed, mostly very rare ones, quite a number of them hereditary, would require a nerve/muscle biopsy for confirmation. So it would be good if that doctor told you what was being looked for.

for all the responce. Origonally 3+ years ago I had alot of testing that showed nothing. I am hoping that my neurologist will let it slip what they are looking for. An EMT friend told me that he suspects the doctor did not want to throw out assumptions. I don't know. As far as infection. The surgeon said he only does this at Strong memorial in the OR in the most sterel conditions.

Also this has never been suggested before. They may be thinking last resort.

I will do more research on the doctor. everyone so far say's he is very good. Thanks again.

Why don't you ask the doctor what he suspects? I sure would want to know. It doesn't mean you have any of it but I would want to know what his thinking is.

Everything was so fast and I was not prepared to ask questions, but he could be suspecting something terrible or dramatic and didn't want to make assumptions. All my doctors know I do a lot of research online so maybe my neuro told him to watch what he say's. In the begining when my neuro sent me for further testing at an oncology center he very reluctantly told me what he was seeing. (Protien that can indicate myoloma) I made him write it down and he was uncomfortable. (So far that has been stable).

I'm having a flair up right now where my feet feel like they are asleep. There is a definite progression going on. I feel it in my ankles and left calve. I feel I have to know why so I'm leaning toward the biopsy with the repair option. Still open to thoughts. I've searched the boards and there are mixed opinions.......................................... ...

I have had the nerve biopsy you speak of & wouldn't recommend it.
In my case it proved nothing.
It was several years ago but I remember like it was yesterday.
The spinal tap was a pin prick compared to it.
My foot was totally numb from local.
I was laying there with my eyes shut trying to think of something else.
I felt the tug as the surgeon made the incision but couldn't feel him probing round inside.
But when he cut through the nerve I felt a severe electric shock & saw flashes of light.
I also imagined a sound like a high tensile fence wire being cut.

push for this. The neuro specialist at the University that I saw said they rarely have a need for this anymore. The EMG/NCS testing, at least at teaching hospitals with practitioners who know what they are doing, are very diagnostic in terms of nerve damage and type (axonal or demylinating or both.) This is for long nerve fiber damage. Small nerve fiber damage usually can be seen from a skin punch biopsy. What neither one tells you is why the damage is occuring, in many cases. I think that is why people want the biopsy, but I have heard too many times that it is inconclusive. And the numbness it leaves behind, or sometimes pain, may not go away.

I am going to add this story to this thread, because it illustrates a mindset doctors tend to have.

They really like to cut people up and have done so for many decades.

I just ordered this book: Drawing Blood
from http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Blood-...d+keith+wailoo

I got my copy from ebay for much less $$ 1.99.

I thought it would be useful for the rebel in me! If you read that blurb on Amazon, it discusses the POLITICAL aspect to medicine, and how people get "diagnosed" according to the beliefs of the doctor.

Today there are similar things going on in medicine. One just has to know where to look to find them. Ignoring B12 status is one biggy we all see on this forum.

Wow, I read this and there are so many possibliities.

I went to Columbia Presbyterian and had two skin punch biopsies that confirmed smal fiber neuropathy. It was no big deal physically but it was emotionally to finally have an answer. Due to autonomic neuropathy and many allergies to drugs nothing but telling me to take folic acid has happened. I am going back in a couple of weeks in hopes of finding some solutions to the autonomic dysfunction that has slowed me down. SFN and RSD - I can't really tell them apart. Pain is an active ingredient. I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my spine over a year ago. I am grateful I did.

I would definitely question the doctor further and seek some testimonies from other patients. I have found I need to do my research first and then go to the doctor. Just this past weekend I was in the hospital. This doctor talked at me the whole time and he wasn't pleased I had been admitted and was quite nasty. I told him to discharge me immediately and then called patient relations and got rid of my anger there which did absolutely no good for the situation other than my having my say. A doctor who doesn't listen or answer questions is one to challenge. May you find the information you need to make the right decision for you.