Options for Severed Spinal Accessory Nerve
 

Hello, all.

5 Sep 2012 i was at the business end of a knife attack, including a slit throat that severed the spinal accessory nerve. My follow up doctors - trauma, orthopedic mostly - didn't seem to catch this deficiency until just this past week. There were a lot of muscular issue in the shoulder from a deep stab wound there, so the non function of the trapezius didn't stand out until now that the other muscles have recovered. I am now exploring options of a surgical reconnection of the severed nerve, most likely with Dr. Susan Mackinnon, Washington University, St Louis, MO.

All would be well with this, save for one situation complication. My wife and I were planning on leaving for a 3 month bicycle tour of Central America on 2 Jan 2013, less than two weeks from now. With the new diagnosis in hand, we are faced with the possibility of needing to cancel our trip (which we naturally were looking very eagerly forward to) and pursue this surgery ASAP. What I can not seem to find an answer to, including from medical staff over the phone worried (reasonably so, in our society) that if they answer me without an official evaluative consultation, they might lead me wrong and I would sue them. Well, I won't sue, but I do need an answer to guide my fast approaching decision.

Will postponing this procedure until after our trip significantly alter the likelihood of success or significantly limit the extent of recovery to be gained if it succeeds? It would be a difference of 4.5 months after injury to 7.5 months after injury.

While I've found some decent academic studies of the success rate of this procedure, usually within a time frame of 20 months post injury, I cannot seem to find any guidance as to the progressive nature of the injury's permanence, at least not without speaking directly to a specifically knowledgeable medical professional.

So, anybody have any ideas or clues? Thanks in advance!

Colin

I don't think anyone can say here....this question is so specialized...and detailed and surgical.

I do think, that some people tend to make more scar tissue with injuries, and this fibrosis may continue if you don't have the nerve fixed quickly.

I'd also ask at the TOS forum here...they have nerve surgeries and releases etc in the shoulder and someone may know the answer to your question.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Peripheral nerves do regrow, but I do not know how close the ends need to be, etc. You will want to be eating well, lots of Omega-3 fats, protein, B12, folate, B6, which regenerate myelin.

I would think PAIN or loss of function would impact any physical trip like you are planning. You could run into problems on the trip, that could not be addressed well in the areas you'd be in.