Chandigarh: The doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, successfully restored
The movement and functional use of the arm were restored successfully in a 26-year-old woman from Tanzania who was living with a complete brachial plexus injury for more than six months. Brachial plexus injury is a severe nerve condition that resulted in complete paralysis of her left arm.
Loveness Ahmed, a resident of Tanzania, sustained severe nerve damage in a road traffic incident earlier this year, affecting the network of nerves connecting the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. The trauma resulted in total loss of movement and sensation in her left arm, profoundly affecting her independence, daily activities, and emotional well-being.
After undergoing conservative treatment in her home country with little improvement, she travelled to India in search of specialised care.
At Max Hospital, Mohali, a detailed clinical examination and nerve assessment revealed that her condition required advanced nerve transfer surgery, a highly specialised microsurgical procedure.
The complex reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr. Rishi Dhawan associate director plastic surgery, using a state-of-the-art microsurgical technique.
The procedure involved redirecting healthy, functioning nerves from within the patient’s own body to restore nerve signals to paralysed muscles. The aim was to re-establish communication between the brain and the affected muscles and help regain essential arm function.
Dr. Dhawan said, “Complete brachial plexus injuries are among the most challenging nerve conditions to treat. They require precise planning, meticulous microsurgery, and strong patient commitment. Brachial plexus injuries, though relatively uncommon, are increasingly seen due to a rise in high-velocity road accidents. These injuries can cause weakness, loss of sensation, or complete paralysis of the arm. In this case, timely intervention and the patient’s dedication to rehabilitation played a crucial role in achieving a meaningful functional recovery.”
