|
CNI Home |
Welcome pageWhat's NewCNI Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center
|
| APPOINTMENTS
Our specialists are happy to discuss your individual case with you. Serious inquiries only, please. MEDICAL DIRECTOR For other information,
send e-mail or call
|
Welcome. The CNI Neuromuscular & Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center provides a comprehensive, case-managed team approach to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with neuromuscular and peripheral nerve disorders. Such patients often require an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to their unique needs. With special interest and expertise in these disorders, our medical staff is able to provide convenient access to an array of disciplines as necessary in a comfortable, centralized setting. Our services incorporate a cost-containment approach to health care.
Communication is an important aspect of our services. The program's physicians work closely and responsibly with the primary-care physician, patient and family. Each treatment program is reviewed with the patient and family in depth.
The Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center evaluates and treats individuals with:
A letter from the Medical Director, Marc Treihaft, MD, FAAN
Most of us have experienced severe burning, numbness, and tingling after hitting our "funny bone." This is caused by trauma to the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Similar discomfort may be brought on by sleeping on an arm or leg in a funny position. For example, putting your arm around someone in a movie theatre for an extended period of time causes the arm to fall asleep. We comment, "I must have cut off the circulation." In fact, the tingling is not due to reduced blood flow to the arm, but to the stretching or compression of nerves.
To understand these phenomena some simple anatomy is useful. If we decide to write a letter, we pick up a pen and paper. Small nerves in the fingers sense the pen and paper and send information through peripheral nerves in the arm to the spinal cord. This information or signal travels through the spinal cord to the brain where it is analyzed. The brain and spinal cord are considered the Central Nervous System. When we decide to write, a message is passed from the brain back through the spinal cord and out of the peripheral nerves of the arm, activating small muscles in the forearm and hand to form letters with the pen. Incoming and outgoing information travel in the nerves of the arm similar to a telephone wire. These nerves are considered the Peripheral Nervous System. Information regarding the environment such as hot, cold, and the position of our pen are carried on sensory nerves. Motor nerves carry bioelectrical information to muscle, resulting in contraction and movement. The other components of this peripheral system are the neuromuscular junction where the nerve meets the muscle and the muscle itself.
Returning to the example of hitting your elbow, tingling in your hands is caused by injury to the sensory nerve. If the blow is severe, we may also experience weakness, implying injury to the motor portion of the nerve. In spite of the discomfort, we take solace in the fact that the symptoms are transient and we will soon be back to normal. In some individuals their motor and sensory problems persist and even progress.
Tingling in the feet may be caused by a peripheral neuropathy. Early evaluation with laboratory studies may uncover potentially treatable disease such as diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency. Isolated numbness of the hands brought on by excessive keyboard work may be identified as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, also a treatable problem. Weakness and fatigue may appear in disorders of the neuromuscular junction such as Myasthenia Gravis or in the Muscular Dystrophies. Industrial and athletic injuries to nerves such as the stinger in football result in arm weakness and tingling. Gehrig's disease, Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disorder of the motor nerves resulting in progressive weakness of the limbs, facial and respiratory muscles, is the most serious of the neuromuscular disorders.
The CNI Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center provides a multi-specialty clinic approach for evaluation and treatment of these disorders. The program's goals are threefold. First, early diagnosis of a disorder is critical. Early recognition requires the availability of state-of-the-art laboratory, electrophysiologic, and radiologic capabilities. Second, treatment and rehabilitation options must include the latest comprehensive medication and physical therapies. Third, and in some cases the most important aspects of patient care, are social and psychological support for patients and their families. The CNI clinic and team is designed to satisfy these goals for the community.
Published in part in "In Touch with CNI", Volume III, Issue I.
 |
|
|
Colorado Neurological
Institute Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders Center
|
|
